NYAMIRA - In an effort to combat the rising cases of cancer, officials in Nyamira County have called on residents to engage in regular cancer screenings and initiate early treatments if diagnosed. The appeal was made by Moenga Momanyi, the Chief Officer for Primary Health Care in Nyamira County, during the World Cervical Cancer Week celebrations in Nyamira Town.

According to Kenya News Agency, the cost of treating cancer escalates significantly when detected at advanced stages, yet many in the community neglect regular medical checkups. This neglect is not limited to cancer but extends to other non-communicable diseases, which often go unnoticed until they have caused extensive and irreversible damage. Momanyi highlighted the strain on medical professionals specializing in cancer treatment due to the growing number of patients, contrasting the dire financial measures some families take to secure treatment for their loved ones with the relative affordability of early-stage cancer treatment.

Caroline Oteko, the Clinical Officer in charge of the Cervical Cancer Center at Nyamira Referral Hospital (NRH), added that despite the availability of cancer screening apparatus in all sub-county hospitals and at NRH, there remains a pervasive skepticism towards cancer testing among residents. Many associate cancer with witchcraft, leading to a preference for alternative remedies over medical intervention until the disease reaches an advanced, often untreatable stage.

Oteko urged mothers to vaccinate their daughters aged 10-14 against cervical cancer as a preventive measure and announced free cancer screening throughout the month in all sub-county hospitals. She revealed that of the 1,045 individuals screened in January, 24 tested positive and were advised to commence treatment immediately. The theme for this year's World Cervical Cancer Week, "Learn, Prevent, Screen," underscores the importance of education on the risks of cervical cancer and the benefits of early detection and prevention.