This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
On Monday, Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko launched a free cancer screening drive in Nairobi, which has so far screened 300 people.
At Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital and Mbagathi Hospitals in Nairobi, at least 22 people have been diagnosed with cancer, with seven women found to have breast cancer and one man testing positive for prostate cancer at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.
At Mbagathi Hospitals, 12 women were found to have cervical cancer.
According to Medical Superintendent Musa Mohamed, the cases can be stopped from escalating to dangerous levels if relevant treatment is administered in time.
"We found eight cases but we want to tell the victims that they can control their situation because it is not at advanced stage," he said.
The cancer screening drive will be ongoing at the two hospitals in collaboration with Kenyatta National Hospital, and Governor Sonko has announced plans to continue the initiative.
Nairobi county government is also planning to embark on a serious cancer sensitization program to highlight preventive measures.
Health executive Mohamed Dagane emphasized the importance of focusing on preventive measures, stating, "We have been told it's more about lifestyle and the foods we eat, the environment we stay in and other minor factors. That's why we have to go back to the drawing board and address this issue head on,"
