General News

MTRH marks World Cancer Day

Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) marked the World Cancer Day today, 4th February, 2025.The CEO Dr. Philip Kirwa led the Hospital by flagging off the sensitization and awareness walk through the streets of Eldoret City with MTRH partners and cancer survivors.

World Cancer Day, commemorated on 4th February annually, aims to raise awareness on fundamental cancer issues.This year’s theme: “United by Unique” places people at the centre of care and their stories at the heart of the conversation.Dr. Jesse Opakas, Director of Hemato-Oncology, affirmed that MTRH offers free cervical and breast cancer screening.

The CEO addressed the alarming rise in cancer cases across the country, emphasizing the importance of prevention, early detection, and proper treatment.Dr. Kirwa attributed poor health seeking behaviour to increasing number of cancer cases diagnosed at later stages, particularly stage three and four, where survival rates are significantly lower, and treatments are more aggressive and expensive.

He highlighted how advancements in technology enable early cancer diagnosis, reducing the burden of care and increasing the likelihood of successful treatment and survival.He urged everyone to go for screening for cancer, focus on prevention, and seek treatment when necessary.

MTRH offers comprehensive cancer care from screening with free screening of breast, cervical and prostate cancers, chemotherapy, surgery, targeted therapies, radiotherapy and brachytherapy. It also treats a range of cancers, with breast, cervical, prostate, and colorectal cancers being the most prevalent.

Present in the meeting were; Dr. Festus Njuguna, Paeds Oncology, Dr. Philipe Poli, Gynae Oncology, Dr. Edwin Mugalo, Prostate Cancer, Dr. Andrew Wandera, GIT Malignancy, Dr. Keitany Kibet, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine in Cancer Diagnosis & Treatment, Dr. Sarah Obuya, Breast & Colon Cancer and Fredrick Joel Owino, Director, Standard and Quality Assurance, National Cancer Institute of Kenya.

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