Cancer Awareness: AAR Hospital cuts screening cost for breast cancer awareness month

AAR nurses conducting a screening during the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. [Courtesy]

AAR Hospital has slashed the cost of screening for select types of cancers by more than half to mark October Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Kenya, accounting for 16.1 per cent of all cases and the second cause of cancer deaths in the country.

The Kiambu Road-based hospital aims to make testing for cancer more accessible to emphasize the benefits of early detection.

The level 5 private hospital has halved the cost of mammograms to Sh2,500 from Sh5,000 and breast ultrasounds to Sh3,500 from Sh6,000 for the entire month of October.

"Breast cancer screening has been proven to increase chances of early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes and survival rates," said Dr Moki Mwendwa, AAR Hospital's Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon.

There is no formal breast cancer screening program in Kenya. Additionally, AAR clients will receive a free breast exam with every pap smear, which has been reduced to Sh1,500 from Sh2,500. The HPV (Human Papillomavirus) test has been reduced from Sh1,000 to Sh7,200.

The cost of testing for prostate cancer has been cut by more than half to Sh2,000 from Sh4,200, while Stool Occult Blood (Colorectal Cancer Screening) charges have been reduced from Sh1,100 to Sh900.

Dr Mwendwa recommends that women aged 40 to 55 undergo a mammogram annually, and a test every two years for those over 55. Breast ultrasounds should be done as per a doctor's request or based on mammogram findings.

A pilot study by the Kenyan Government's National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) showed poor uptake of breast cancer screening, unfortunately reducing chances of early detection and treatment. In August, AAR Hospital conducted free diabetes screenings and offered patients registration for treatment clinics.