By Michael Wesonga
Prostate cancer accounts for majority of admissions and operations among male patients at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret.
The University College of Health Sciences Prof. Fabian Esamai who made the revelations said prostate cancer screening activities were very essential for early detection of the killer disease.
The professor added that the disease was a trigger to major health complications that may ultimately lead to renal failure mostly among men aged above 40.
“We, however, need to carry out more elaborate research to establish the disease’s prevalence among the Kenyan male population for its proper management,” he said.
Esamai said modern medical technological advancement have played a major role in treating the disease that once never had a mode of detection.
He made the remarks while as he officially flagged off a march marking the start of the two days “Prostate Cancer Screening and Awareness Campaign” at the MTRH.
“Currently treatment may just involve medication unlike in the past when it was mandatory to undergo surgery and could be done at very few hospitals,” he stated.
He advised adult males to undergo the test any other time at The Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (Ampath) in Eldoret because cancer has no discrimination, affecting both the rich and the poor.
The doctor said screening involves a urine test, blood test, X-ray imaging and Physical examination to establish its presence and had no side effects.
The project coordinator Samwel Naberi said the project takes place in Eldoret town municipality at the Moi University Main Campus, in Munyaka, Langas and Mailli Nne, which targets 1500 clients.
“We will be offering education on the signs and symptoms to the risk population and advising on the various centers the test can be carried out and also be treating other minor ailments that might be diagnosed,” he offered.
The Africa Cancer Foundation which is a programme partner has issued out fact sheets essential for conducting scientific research in the area.
Other partners are the Moi University College of Health Sciences, Nursing Council of Kenya, Elgon View Hospital and the Eldoret Hospice.
Participants include medical doctors, nurses and laboratory technicians and about 50 students from the College of Health Sciences.
The Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation has never had any designated program for addressing cancer among other non-communicable diseases that are silent killers.
Prostate cancer is a worldwide health problem leading to many deaths with barriers existing regarding cancer screening resulting in most men and especially black men presenting with advanced prostate cancer too late to be cured.
