Details of Why Cancer Is the Leading Cause of Death In Kenya
The national crisis that is cancer continues to give people sleepless nights as the government works around the clock to ensure that each and every Kenyan gets the necessary treatment.
As the government holds the first ever national cancer summit which began on February 2nd and is expected to end on February 4th. Details have emerged that Cancer is the third leading cause of death in the country.
The different types of cancer have been listed with Meru County being on the lead. Breast cancer has mostly taken the lead followed by cervical cancer, prostate cancer, esophagus and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Several things are causing this rise in cancer, with unhealthy dieting being ranked as top. The use of drugs such as tobacco, alcohol and bhang especially among the youth has also been listed as one of the major causes of the disease
Kenyans have been called upon to consider taking a healthy diet and avoid engaging in lifestyle habits that are a threat to their health.
The cost of treating cancer is also expensive with many patients forced to travel abroad to seek medical attention and those who cannot afford it are forced to carry the burden of pain and living with a disease that slowly takes away their lives.
The ministry of health through Health CS Susan Nakhumincha, says the government is on the move to ensure it provides the necessary attention to Cancer patients and ensure they get the treatment they need in the universal healthcare plan.
As the national cancer summit continues, it aims to raise more awareness on Cancer and how to go about it once you find out that you’re sick. Awareness they say will help since cancer mortality is reduced when cases are detected and treated early. The government also seeks to encourage people to get screened more
