Nairobi Governor, Mike Sonko's free cancer screening that began on August 5, 2019, saw hundreds of Kenyans visit various medical facilities for the service.
According to the elated governor, 33 people were diagnosed with the disease, at an early stage, allowing them to seek treatment.
Sonko applauded residents saying the fight against cancer starts with all individuals.
"The numbers that we have seen turn up for screening is encouraging. It shows we are all ready to tackle the monster," admitted Sonko.
He said early diagnosis of the killer disease is the first weapon against it.
Nairobi County Director of Communication, Jacob Elkanah, who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, disclosed that 33 people have been diagnosed with cancer following the free screening at Mama Lucy Hospital and Mbagathi Hospitals in Nairobi.
Two suspected cases were referred for further analysis by doctors. So far over 500 people have been screened.
However, according to health officials, the cases were at a manageable stage.
So far, seven women were found with breast cancer while one man tested positive for prostate cancer at Mama Lucy Hospital while twelve women were found to have cervical cancer at Mbagathi.
Mama Lucy medical superintendent Musa Mohamed assured that the cases can be stopped from escalating to dangerous levels, if relevant treatment is administered in time.
"We found eight cases but we want to tell the victims that they can control their situation because it is not at an advanced stage," highlighted Mohammed.
Meanwhile, the county is set to embark on a serious cancer sensitization program that seeks to highlight preventive measures.
The program, that will be launched by Sonko is set to focus more on lifestyle and food.
Health Executive, Mohamed Dagane, disclosed that since cancer treatment is not easily achievable, the focus will be on preventive rather than curative measures.
According to Dagane, the county will work with relevant stakeholders to create maximum awareness of preventive measures.
"We have been told it's more lifestyle and the foods we eat, the environment we stay in and other minor factors and that's why we have to go back to the drawing board and address this issue head-on," Dagane stated.
