US Based Organization rolls out testing and treatment of cervical cancer in Kenya
By Dickson Odhiambo
October 20, 2021
US Based Organization
rolls out testing and treatment of cervical cancer in Kenya
A United State of America Based Organization has rolled out testing
and treatment of patients suffering from cervical cancer in Kenya.
The organization known as Cure Cervical Cancer.org {CCC}
based in the United States of America has rolled out the project on a pilot basis
within Muhoroni area in Kisumu County where a mobile clinic will be used for testing
and treatment of those suffering from the disease.
Addressing the media during the screening exercise conducted
at Rutek market on Tuesday this week, Cure Cervical Cancer.org Founder Dr. Patricia
Gordon MD says the pilot project targets women of reproductive age of 30 to 49
years.
She says in Muhoroni area alone, the project targets about
10,000 women to be screened and treated if tested positive for the virus that
causes cervical cancer disease.
The Organization’s Founder says they plan to test and treat
about 60,000 women in Kisumu County during the piloting phase of the project,
adding that it will then be moved to other parts of the country.
The Testing is done to detect Human papilloma virus {HPV}
that is a virus that can cause cervical cancer.
The Human papilloma virus
{HPV} can also cause other cancers like the cancer of the vulva, male and
female organs as well as throat cancer.
The Founder of the organization adds that the use of mobile
clinic dubbed the mobile health for Mamas
which it has launched for the exercise will ease its work of testing and
treating the patients.
She says the organization has trained a number of health
service care providers on the issue and will help in mobilizing the patients
for screening and treatment.
“We will also team up with various health facilities in
Kenya when we will be carrying out this work to ensure that we reach a large
number of people for testing and treatment for the disease,” she says.
She asks women to come out in large numbers to get tested
and be treated if found positive, adding that the disease is 95 percent preventable
as the screening process is painless and treatment is simple.
“Early detection of the virus helps a lot and this is why we
encourage women to get tested for this virus known as Human Papilloma virus
that causes the cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of
cancer deaths after the breast cancer,” Dr Patricia adds.
A number of patients who were tested have welcomed the
initiative to bring the Mobile clinic for cervical cancer testing and treatment
closer to the community.
Cynthia Achieng Okoth says she has been tested and now
waiting for the outcome of the test in regard, adding that the testing process
has been simple, fast and painless indeed.
Mary Ochieng says she is very happy with the testing
process, adding that a number of fellow women of the reproductive age should
come out for it and get tested.
“We urge many women to come out and stop sitgma on this
issue by coming out openly and get tested for cervical cancer disease. The
testing process is simple beginning by collecting the samples for the test by yourself.
It is very easy indeed,” Ochieng says.
Dr. Lilian Kimani, the County Coordinator for the pilot
project says the earlier screening is done and the disease is detected, the
treatment will be done in time hence the betterment for the patients.
She adds that women in rural areas should take advantage of
the project and get tested and treatment.
During the screening exercise that occurred at Rutek Market,
the Organization’s Excutive Director Rebecca Lepsik accompanied the Founder of
the Organization.
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