The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) today released alarming statistics of cancer cases in the force.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo said 88 cancer patients have been treated between 2013-2016.
Omamo noted 22 new cases were diagnosed last year alone. “The age ranges from three to 56 years. The figure include 41 service personnel and 47 civilians of whom 39 are male and 49 female,”said Omamo.
While delivering her speech during the Ministry of Defence cancer day, Principal Secretary Torome Saitoti said the emerging trend of cancer poses a great challenge to the service personnel.
“Our concerns about the trend is the budgetary burden due to high cost of prevention, detection and treatment,” he said.
The force chief of medical brigadier Christopher Arum said breast, cervix, ovary, lymphomas, leukemia, gastrointestinal cancers are the commonest during the period under review.
Oncologist Colonel Dr. L.A Sumba said 33 per cent of cancer are preventable and urged both servicemen and civilians to go for check ups.
Dr. Sumba urged patient not to give up when diagnosed with the diseases saying “there is life after being diagnosed. Doctors treat and God cures,”said Dr. Sumba.
