This archive report was first published on 12 August 2019.
Kenya is grappling with a cervical cancer epidemic, with a staggering 5,250 women losing their lives to the disease in 2018 alone.
According to a study conducted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, the consumption of Ugali, a staple food made from maize meal, is a significant contributor to the rising cases of cervical cancer.
The study found that maize meal is contaminated with aflatoxin, a toxic substance that can cause cancer in humans and animals.
Aflatoxin can contaminate crops in the field, during harvest and storage, and can be ingested through eating contaminated maize or inhaling harmful substances during processing.
Research also suggests that contaminated maize meal can cause liver cancer, highlighting the need for a more cautious approach to food consumption.
Experts recommend incorporating carrots and celery into our daily diet to reduce the carcinogenic effects of aflatoxins.
Published on August 12, 2019.
