Stigma a challenge in fight against cancer, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta says

Stigmatisation, ignorance and lack of adequate resources have been cited as the most prevalent impediments in the fight against cancer.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta said those affected by cancer battle stigma, which is largely driven by traditional beliefs and prevents many people from seeking medical help through screening and diagnosis.

"Due to this stigmatisation, many people affected by cancer have in the past missed the crucial early detection and the available interventions, and consequently succumbing to the illness," she said.

The First Lady spoke during the plenary session of the 9th Cervical, Breast and Prostrate Cancer in Africa Conference (SCCA) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The conference is held under the aegis of the Forum of African First Ladies Against Cervical, Breast, and Prostrate Cancer.

The conference was opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, when the First Lady officially assumed the chair of the African First Ladies Forum.

SCREENING

The First Lady said despite the current challenges on cancer, there is a ray of hope for Kenyans, starting with the recent inauguration of the National Cancer Institute to spearhead the fight against cancer.

“This effort by the government was of great significance as it was a first in our country in terms of scale and resource allocation”, she said.

The First Lady said Kenya has recently witnessed an improvement in the dissemination of information regarding the three main cancers — breast, cervical and prostrate — largely through open public communication campaigns and cancer screening clinics.

“As a result, awareness has greatly increased, which in itself has mitigated the burden on the families of those affected by the dreaded disease,” she said.

The First Lady has also made cancer screening one of the priorities of the Beyond Zero campaign that she has successfully championed.

She said capacity building among health workers who have been extensively trained in screening and management of cancers has also improved.

The First Lady, however, said increased knowledge on how to cure cancer is still needed.

"People also need to get information on how to access the crucial vaccine that prevents the development of the disease," she said.

Other First Ladies attending the conference gave their experiences and facts about cancer in their countries.