Alarm as cancer cases rise in Nyandarua

Some of the common cancers in the areas include cervical, breast, gastro intestinal, prostrate and oesophagus. [iStockphoto]

Medics have raised the alarm over high cancer cases in Nyandarua county.

John Mburu, a medical practitioner and director of outreach programmes at Pope Benedict Hospital said most cancer related deaths are as a result of late diagnosis due to ignorance, poverty and lack of awareness about the need for regular screening.

Mburu noted that seven out of 10 palliative cancer beds in the county are occupied by cancer patients whose condition is either at stage three or four.

"Cancer cases are now rampant in this county and that's why we have put our heads together with the view of tackling the scourge. We are at the same time seeking to understand why most of the cases are detected when it's too late," said Mburu during the screening of residents at Ndundori Catholic church.

Some of the common cancers in the areas include cervical, breast, gastrointestinal, prostrate and oesophagus.

"The biggest problem here is self-medication which we normally refer to over-the-counter medication, the body has its way of signaling us of impending problems occasioned either by mild sickness, headaches or stomach upsets. Most people tend to take painkillers over the counter without going to the hospital to know why they have incessant headaches or stomach upsets," said Mburu.

The medic also attributed cancer cases to smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

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Lydia Theuri, a resident, said the burden of taking care of cancer patients, especially those in old age, is taking a toll on the community.

"Many people are not aware that cancer screening is important yet they are exposed to several risks like chemicals they use in farms and foods they consume," noted Theuri.

Kenya Cancer and Renal Awareness and Screening (Kencras) founder Victor Kiere said there is need for massive cancer screening especially for the elderly.

"My father complained of pain now and then and when we took him to hospital it was discovered that he had stage 4 cancer and within no time he died. If he had been diagnosed early he would have been saved," said Kiere.