New rules proposed to manage cancer cases

It will soon be a crime to deny treatment to a person suffering from cancer, according to the new Cancer Prevention and Control Bill 2011.

The Bill, gazetted on Friday, outlaws forced screening for cancer or compelling people to disclose their status before accessing loans or insurance cover.

If it becomes law, and together with the National Cancer Control Strategy launched last month, it will provide stringent regulation of factors associated with cancer such as alcohol consumption and smoking.

The Bill provides for establishment of a cancer prevention and control institute to be run by registered medical practitioners or cancer specialists.

It also suggests that cancer education be incorporated in national teaching programmes.

“Information on causes and ways of preventing cancer, its treatment and palliative care will be incorporated in subjects taught in public and private schools at all levels starting from early childhood centres to primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, including informal, non formal and indigenous learning systems,” it says.

Hospitals and diagnostic centres will also be required to notify the cancer control institute on any cases diagnosed.

The Bill outlaws denying anybody employment, promotion or the right remuneration on the grounds that they have cancer and job advertisements will not be phrased in a way that locks out such people.

Prevalent cancers

Public Health minister Beth Mugo launched the National Cancer Control Strategy amid increasing cases of cancer especially those of the mouth, tongue and the throat.

The Nairobi Cancer Registry indicates that these are the most prevalent cancers among men in the country.

The five-year plan proposes higher alcohol prices, tighter licensing rules for bars, less drinking hours and stiff penalties for offenders.

It seeks to reduce tobacco smoking by five per cent in the next five years, signalling more restrictions for tobacco companies on the way.

The strategy promises to reduce obesity prevalence by two per cent and increase consumption of fruits and vegetables by five per cent through promotion of healthy eating habits.

It also wants 30 per cent of public health facilities to have equipment for screening cancer by 2016 and train more health care workers on cancer management.