Do more to ease breast cancer burden in Kenya

Phanice Okuso, 60, a retired nurse conducting a breast cancer screening at Kakamega Oasis Multi-Specialty Hospital. [Nathan Ochunge, Standard]

October has been designated the Breast Cancer Awareness Month after the devastating effects of the disease over the last few decades. In Kenya, the cancer burden has been felt by numerous families after their kin have been diagnosed with the disease.

Many have had to sell off family property to settle exorbitant medical bills and pay for costly chemotherapy and other treatments. And even where patients have medical insurance, the treatment costs are too high to be sustained and effective.