LREB counties' First Ladies launch cancer awareness drive

Kakamega County First Lady Janet Kasili during a past event. [File, Standard]

First Ladies from the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) have embarked on a cancer awareness drive.

This follows reports that 70 per cent of the cancer cases are diagnosed at advanced stages, with two out of three persons succumbing to the disease.

According to a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya between 2021 and 2022, breast cancer is the highest at 15.9 per cent while cervical cancer follows at 11.8 per cent.

The report further revealed that 46 per cent of the new cases are usually diagnosed at a very late stage in both men and women.

Speaking at Siaya County Referral Hospital on Monday during the launch of the cervical cancer awareness week, the First Ladies said they are seeking to reverse the alarming rate at which cancer is claiming lives in the country.

Present were Agnes Ochillo (Migori), Janet Kasili (Kakamega), Dorothy Nyon'go (Kisumu), Sellina Otuoma (Busia), Betty Mutai (Kericho), Margaret Lusaka (Bungoma), Lillian Natembeya (Trans Nzoia) and host Betty Orengo.

Nyamira First Lady Emilly Nyaribo, who is also the chairperson of the County First Ladies Association (CFLA), said they have put a spirited campaign to slay the dragon of cancer.

"The numbers are highest in the lake region and we must do something in order to get cervical cancer out of the region," said Mrs Nyaribo.

While urging women to go for screening, Nyaribo said cancer is not a death sentence if diagnosed early.

"We are also appealing to the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to take care of cancer treatment just like any other disease. It is really sad to burden the patients," she appealed.

Mrs Orengo, who also launched Enabling and Motivating Partnership Owned by Women to Engage and Reclaim their lives (EMPOWER) centre at the County Referral Hospital, said the project aims at advocating cancer care and treatment.

Mrs Ochillo, who is the vice-chairperson of CFLA, urged parents to ensure their children aged between 10 and 14 go for vaccination against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) so as to eliminate cervical cancer as well as easing the burden of treatment among poor families.

The event was graced by Governor James Orengo who lauded the initiative and promised to allocate more resources to preventive health care.

Siaya County Gynecologist Dr Michael Oduor termed the gesture a positive step towards breaking the silence about cancer.

"We can eliminate this disease by regular screening, vaccination and treatment. As a county, we have the capacity to do all these," said Dr Oduor.