Residents of Kilifi County have been urged to undergo regular breast cancer screening to facilitate early detection and timely treatment of the disease.
The call came as health stakeholders in the county walked approximately 10 kilometres in Malindi as part of activities to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed every October.
Speaking at Buntwani Gardens during the awareness event, Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule urged both men and women to come forward for screening, saying early detection increases the chances of successful treatment.
“I want to urge both women and men in Kilifi County to come out and get screened. Early detection is very important because it enables those who are found to have cancer to start treatment early,” Chibule said.
She encouraged residents not to wait until they develop symptoms before seeking medical attention, urging them to make cancer screening part of their routine health checks.
Meanwhile, Aga Khan project officer Aquinas Mung’atia said the organisation, in partnership with the Kilifi County Government and other stakeholders, was working to promote early screening and ensure patients receive treatment in good time.
“Our goal, together with the county government and other partners, is to ensure that people are screened early, receive treatment on time and that those affected by cancer are supported and empowered so that they can continue with their lives and earn a living,” Mung’atia said.
The initiative also seeks to support cancer survivors through empowerment programmes aimed at helping them become economically self-reliant.
The awareness campaign comes amid concerns over the burden of breast cancer in Kilifi, with stakeholders noting that the disease contributes significantly to cancer related deaths in the county.
Health stakeholders are using the month long campaign to encourage residents to prioritise early screening, which remains key in the prevention and management of breast cancer.
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