Cancer awareness opens day at Aga Khan University Hospital

To commemorate the world cancer day, Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) held a free cancer awareness open day on Saturday February 4th, 2017.

With the theme ‘We can, I can’, the open day provided a platform for cancer patients, survivors and people passionate about cancer to interact and deliberate on how best each person can contribute to reduce the cancer burden and the toll it takes on families, the community and country at large.

A team of AKUH specialists consisting of oncologists, surgeons, palliative medicine specialists, oncology nurses, counseling psychologists and dieticians was available for one on one consultation and to answer questions of interest from the participants.

“Public education is key at all levels from the county to the national government level inorder to create awareness for people to regularly get screened for early detection of cancer. This will ensure better management outcomes and higher chances of survival for cancer patients”, says Professor Ronald Wasike, a consultant breast surgeon at Aga Khan University Hospital.

The event which attracted over 80 participants was critical in demystifying cancer and creating resourceful knowledge that will go a long way in reducing deaths resulting from the disease.

Dr John Weru, Palliative Medicine Specialist at the hospital explained that there has been a rapid growth in the number of cancer patients in need of palliative care services hence the need to ensure communities have the right information and skills to take care of patients at home.

The hospital offers free palliative care and pain management training classes for healthcare and non-healthcare providers to equip them with knowledge and skills necessary to take care of patients suffering from cancer and other chronic diseases. This year, five training classes have been scheduled for late February, April, May, June and September.

In Nyeri County, the hospital also held three free cancer screening medical camps in Othaya, Nyeri town and Narumoru to create cancer awareness to the residents.

A total of 492 participants benefitted from the screening which focused on cervical cancer and cryotherapy treatment, breast cancer screening, random blood sugar, body mass index and blood pressure screening.