Embu organises cancer marathon as concern raised over new cases

Embu Health Executive Dr Jamleck Muturi displaying one of the T-shirts being sold to raise funds during a Cancer Marathon by Embu county government. [Joseph Muchiri/Standard]

About 200 new cases of cancer are reported every year, according to county officials.

There are about 5,000 cancer patients in Embu who are currently receiving treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital and other hospitals in Nairobi or abroad.

In light of this, the county government is organising a cancer awareness marathon on May 12 to raise funds towards a cancer treatment unit.

Health Executive Jamlek Muturi said chewing of khat and dietary habits such as excessive consumption of sugar, animal and wheat products are some of the predisposing factors to cancer.

He said other factors that increase the risk of cancer include pollution owing to rapid urbanisation, unhealthy lifestyles like excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and consumption of contaminated food.

Dr Muturi said muguka farmers use a lot of herbicides and pesticides to control pests and diseases.

He said the chemicals are carcinogenic and thus predisposes consumers of muguka to throat cancer, cancer of the stomach and rectum.

“Cancer is treatable if detected early. And we are appealing to the public to be visiting hospitals for cancer screening for early detection and early treatment,” said Muturi.

The executive said the most common types of cancer in Embu are breast, cervical, prostate, throat, lung, stomach and rectum.

Muturi said 10 clinicians had been trained on cancer treatment in readiness to operationalise the oncology unit that will offer chemotherapy treatment.