This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta called on Kenyans to adopt healthier lifestyles to combat cancer, as the government increased funding for cancer treatment and announced plans to build cancer treatment centers.
Speaking at the requiem mass of Governor Joyce Laboso at Bomet Green Stadium, President Kenyatta emphasized the need for Kenyans to change their lifestyles, saying, “Tabia zetu pia sio kama zile zilikuwa za zamani, lazima tuangalie what is it that we do today that our forefathers never did that is causing this disease to spread as fast as it is in our country.”
According to the World Health Organization, some of the lifestyle changes that can lower the risk of cancer include reducing consumption of red and processed meat, which has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen. Red meat, such as beef, lamb, and pork, has been classified as a Group 2A carcinogen, which means it probably causes cancer.
Alcohol consumption is also a significant risk factor for cancer, with alcoholic drinks containing ethanol that irritates body cells and can lead to cancer. Being overweight can cause up to 11 different types of cancer, including breast, bowel, kidney, liver, endometrial, ovarian, stomach, oesophagus, gallbladder, pancreas, and prostate cancers.
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for preventable cancer, with cigarette smoke containing more than 7,000 chemicals, including 69 that are carcinogens. Exposure to second-hand smoke is also a cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
