Makueni: Over 90 per cent of breast cancer cases among women in Makueni County are detected at advanced stages, the Spouse of Makueni Governor Anita Mbinya Mutula has noted. Mrs. Mutula lamented that late detection has limited treatment options and impacts on survival outcomes of those suffering from the killer disease in the county. Consequently, she called for concerted efforts to ensure the local residents go for early and regular screening in an effort to stop this worrying trend in the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mrs. Mutula revealed that out of 1,353 patients who have visited the Empower Clinic at the Makueni County Referral Hospital, 70.2 per cent have been diagnosed with breast cancer stage 4, while 23.5 per cent had cancer at stage 3. This means that over 90 per cent of breast cancer cases are detected at an advanced stage. She was speaking at Makueni County Referral Hospital in Wote town during a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event on Wednesday.
At the event, Mrs. Mutula emphasized the
importance of promoting early detection and empowering communities with information and resources to curb this trend. She urged individuals to undertake routine breast and cervical cancer tests regularly for early detection and treatment, highlighting that this approach increases treatment options and success rates while reducing treatment costs.
This year’s theme, ‘No one should face breast cancer alone,’ underscores the community’s role in supporting individuals affected by the disease. Department of Health Chief Officer Stephen Ndolo also addressed the gathering, stressing the need for family members to encourage each other to undergo early and regular testing, as the disease impacts the entire family once a member is diagnosed.
Ndolo advised residents to register with the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to alleviate the high cost of cancer treatment drugs. He assured that the insurance could cater for cancer treatment, thus facilitating access to necessary medical care for those in need.
