October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second leading type of cancer in Kenya among women, with an estimated 6,799 cases annually and over 3,107 deaths, therefore contributing to 12.5 % of the overall cancer burden in Kenya.
Jane Gathoni a clinical oncologist, has urged both women and men to go for early screening and treatment as a step towards winning the war against cancer ailments, particularly breast cancer. Gathoni said these large number of breast cancer cases ailing Kenyans is highly preventable through early detection. “The cost of screening for breast cancer has reduced, she said. with some organizations offering free mammogram tests this Breast Cancer Awareness month, it is more cost-effective to manage the ailment during its early stages”.
“Prevention offers the most cost-effective long-term strategy for the control of cancer. While you may not have control over all risk factors for breast cancer, there are some you can control. This can only happen when there is early detection”. The Oncologist said.
According to The Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy, the national uptake of overall cancer screening stands at 16 % while about 50 % of cancer deaths could be prevented by avoiding key risk factors. These factors include avoiding tobacco products, reducing alcohol consumption, maintaining healthy body weight, exercising regularly and addressing infection-related risk factors.
Evidence from the Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy further presents that the basic cost of breast cancer treatment is between 175,200 to 1.9 million Kshs. which could easily be avoided. “It is quite unfortunate that more than half of breast cancer cases are diagnosed late.” Gathoni said.
Self-breast examination and clinical breast examination enables the early detection of breast cancer and mammography is the only screening method for breast cancer that has been proven to be effective for women above 40 years of age. “Mammography is specialized medical imaging that uses a low-dose X-ray system to see inside the breasts and aids in the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in women”. Gathoni explained. The oncologists added that breast cancer can be asymptomatic, hence the need for frequent screening.
“Women who are at least 40 years old are required to get a mammogram every two years as they are at average risk of developing breast cancer”. She said.
The risk of breast cancer increases with age and there are benefits as well as risks to receiving mammograms before the age of 40.
“Breast cancer diagnosed at an early stage is less expensive to treat than those diagnosed at a later stage”. She said. “Screening every two years increases life expectancy and has reduced the number of women diagnosed with breast cancer by 29 % as well as deaths by 26% for every 1,000 women screened”. Gathoni pleaded with citizens, particularly from low-income as well as uninsured or underinsured women to get timely and cost-effective breast and cervical cancer diagnosis services across health centers in Kenya.
By: Moffin Opilio
