The Cure Cervical Cancer Organization in collaboration with the Bristol Myers Squib Foundation Africa, have launched a home-based cervical cancer screening in Vihiga County.
The organization’s founder and Managing Director (MD) Dr. Patricia Gordon said they are targeting women aged 25-49 and testing them for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is the main cause of the disorder, so that the patients are diagnosed and assisted accordingly.
“We intend to screen more than 5000 women and those found positive would be treated while those who test negative would be advised on the precautionary measures to be taken,” she stated.
The radiation oncologist explained that those who turnout HPV positive will be offered free treatment at the outreach sites that have been set up within their community health units upon completion of screening exercise.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for health services Julius Maruja said the programme aims to revolutionize the provision of health care services by ensuring measures are in place for the prevention of cervical cancer, through undertaking early screening and detection.
The national statistics indicate that cervical cancer is the second most prevalent after breast cancer, conditions that are curable if they are detected in their early stages.
By Sammy Mwibanda
