Makueni County First Lady Anita Mutula has given shocking statistics on Cancer cases in the County.
Speaking while launching the breast and cervical cancer screening initiative at the Mother and Child Hospital in Wote, Anita revealed that over 70 percent of patients in the county are diagnosed at Stage 4.
Anita stressed the critical importance of early detection and prevention in combating cancer, advocating for free screening services to enhance access to vital healthcare in the community.
“It is sobering to note that 70.2 percent of our patients are diagnosed at stage 4, with an additional 23.5 percent at stage 3, this means that over 93 percent of breast cancer cases are detected in advanced stages a reality that limits treatment options and impacts survival outcomes,” Anita stated.
While emphasizing on cruciality of early detection and prevention in the fight against cancer, The First Lady underscored the necessity of routine screenings for both men and women to address the increasing incidence of cancer. She also highlighted a rise in prostate cancer cases among men, revealed during recent medical camps, calling for targeted awareness and intervention.
“During Recent surgical camps, we encountered a concerning prevalence of prostate cancer among men in our county, which also requires serious attention…Routine screenings for both men and women can help address these challenges and promote a culture of early detection that saves lives and costs by going for early screening.” She added.
The First Lady noted that Since its establishment, the Empower Clinic has provided essential support and treatment to over 1,000 patients. This initiative coincides with Breast Cancer Awareness Month and is a collaboration with Savanna Informatics Global Health, Roche-Kenya, and the National Cancer Institute.
