Health
Breast cancer is the most common cancer globally with around 2.4 million new cases emerging every year. This represents one in eight cancer cases in women, with 70 percent deaths occurring in developing countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Breast Cancer Initiative (GBCI) in 2021 with the aim of reducing mortality rates by 2.5 percent per year by 2040 to save 2.5 million lives through the three key pillars of action on health promotion for early detection, timely diagnosis, and comprehensive breast cancer management.
The curtains will soon fall on the October campaign; a dedicated Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) celebrated globally to create awareness about breast cancer but its effects continue to haunt many Kenyan women.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Debora Barasa, breast cancer remains the most diagnosed cancer in the country with over 7,200 new cases reported annually. Kenya also has the highest mortality rates of breast cancer globally with eight percent of women diagnosed unlikely to survive beyond five years.
Mary Atieno, a breast cancer patient from Kindu Bay in Homa Bay, who has been seeking medical attention in one of the private hospitals in Migori County, recounts her struggles as if they were yesterday.
John Okeyo, the Director of Sori Lakeside Hospital at his office in Nyatike Sub County-Migori
The mother of six, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 remembers initially noticing a small, swollen area on her breast. It was not painful at the beginning but it prompted her in 2016 to seek medical attention at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), where she was advised to return for check-ups every two weeks. They later informed her that she would need to raise Sh19,000 for further tests.
“I discovered a small swelling on my breast. Although it was not big, I went for a check-up at KNH every two weeks, and eventually, they told me I needed Sh19,000 for a thorough examination,” Atieno stated. Unable to raise the required amount Atieno turned on herbal treatment for nearly two years, during which the tumor continued to grow, limiting her mobility and causing constant fatigue.
“I was on herbal medication for one year and nine months, and the tumor grew so large that I couldn’t lift my arm. I was permanently bedridden all the time,” she narrated during an interview with KNA recently.
Early this year, Atieno’s in-law visited her and suggested she considers treatment at Sori Lakeside Hospital in Nyatike Sub County of Migori County. Initially hesitant due to financial constraints, she eventually reached out to a friend for help to the hospital, trusting that God would provide the necessary funds.
After going through a struggle to use her National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF)-currently known as Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) card in vain, a cool Sh18,000 manna came her way for a Computer Tomography (CT) scan test, thanks to her children and well-wishers who raised the funds.
After her chest X-rays, she needed an additional Sh21,000 to purchase medication from Nairobi. Her in-laws came in handy to settle her medical bills. Atieno now calls upon the Ministry of Health at both levels of government and partners to increase the intensity of awareness on the disease by providing monthly cancer screenings to increase early cancer detection among women.
John Okeyo, the Director of Sori Lakeside Hospital at his office in Nyatike Sub County-Migori
She appreciates the support from the Director of Sori Lakeside Hospital, who often supports patients’ treatment. Dr. John Okeyo, also the Director of Sori Lakeside Hospital who also found time to speak to KNA crew explained that breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among women. Okeyo disclosed that breast cancer begins as an abnormal growth of cells in the breast tissue, triggered by changes in the cell’s DNA.
“The DNA in healthy cells provides instructions for growth, multiplication, and eventual death. However, in cancer cells, these instructions change, leading to uncontrolled growth and persistent survival,” he added.
Consequently, Dr. Okeyo urged both levels of government to partner with local private hospitals offering cancer treatment to ease the treatment costs for patients, asserting that chemotherapy is very expensive but with the support from non-governmental bodies, these costs would reduce significantly.
“The cancer patients are facing numerous challenges, and although SHIF card helps, the cancer treatment costs remain high. We are requesting the county government to assist where possible to make chemotherapy more affordable locally to ease the pain of patients,” concluded Okeyo.