Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has assured residents of the installation of cancer screening and treatment facilities in the county.
She made the pronouncements during the burial of a close relative who succumbed to the disease.
Jane Wanjiku, wife to Waiguru's cousin Gibson Mburati, was buried on Tuesday, March 10 at Kambarare Village in Gichugu constituency.
"May the Almighty God grant the family peace and comfort during this difficult time," Waiguru condoled.
While addressing mourners during the burial, Waiguru urged members of the public to get early cancer screening, so as to prevent discovery of the dreadful ailment in its latter lethal stages.
She urged women in the county to frequently seek screening for breast and cervical cancer, if possible on an annual basis.
"I urge you to set aside at least two or three hours to seek cancer screening at the closest facilities," Waiguru stated.
The governor assured residents that an upcoming Medical Complex at Kerugoya hospital will be inclusive of a cancer screening centre and would be open to Kenyans free of charge.
Waiguru informed that the county was ranked third in the country on cancer screening, while identifying two medical facilities she would ensure are elevated to Level 4 status, while further improving the Level 5 hospitals in the county.
All she promised would be fully equiped with cancer screening and treatment facilities.
Cancer has been a growing global health concern and according to the Ministry of Health, it is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular diseases.
According to the International Agency for Research in Cancer (IARC) GLOBOCAN report for 2018, there were an estimated 47,887 new cases of cancer annually with a mortality rate of 32,987.
Oesophageal cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, followed by cervical cancer and then breast cancer. The report indicated that 70-80 per cent of cancer patients in Kenya were diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease when it is not amenable to cure.
