Health minister reveals cancer battle

Public Health minister Beth Mugo is recovering from breast cancer after undergoing surgery for the killer disease in the United States.

Speaking at her Afya House office in Nairobi Thursday, Mrs Mugo said she was diagnosed with breast cancer during a routine medical check up and the cancer was removed through surgery in the USA.

Accompanied by her personal doctor Robert Mathenge the minister said: “After diagnosis, the cancer was removed through surgery and the remaining treatment is of a preventive nature to hinder any future occurrence."

“Part of the treatment will be done locally as well as in the USA."

Dr Mathenge assured that since Mrs Mugo’s cancer was detected at an early stage she would be able to discharge her duties as usual.

Mrs Mugo said that by going public with her illness, she expected to galvanise as many women as possible to undergo screening and check up for breast cancer that is the number one killer of women aged 35-55 in Kenya.

The signs for breast cancer include a lump or a dimple in the breast. Less common signs include breast swelling and redness or an enlarged underarm lymph node.  However, most breast lumps turn out to be benign (not cancerous). Experts say that physical examination of the breasts is one way to find breast cancer.

According to the Nairobi Cancer Registry, the disease affects one in nine women in the country and killing many due to late diagnosis.

Between 2000 and 2006, the registry recorded 10,484 cases of cancer cases, closely followed by cervical cancer at 19.8 per cent.

Experts have voiced concern that some 95 per cent of women in Kenya have never had a clinical breast examination and screening mammography is not widespread in the country.