Prostate and Breast Cancer: Prevention and Management  

‘1 in 9 men in Africa has a probability of getting prostate cancer and men of Africa origin have the highest incidence of prostate cancer.

While in Kenya, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the third cause of cancer death after prostate and cervical cancer.

Screening of breast cancer has reduced mortality by 25-39% in the last 10 years

Both prostate cancer and breast cancer can be prevented and better managed when detected early.’

This was the clarion call by both Dr. Peter Ngugi and Dr. Daniel Ojuka during the commemoration of World health Day, a webinar that the university held on Tuesday, April 5, 2022 ahead of the main day on Thursday, April 7, 2022.

The main purpose of the webinar was to engage the participants in the prevention and management of prostate and breast cancer.

The UoN Vice Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama implored the UoN community to take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered such as free screening for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, Covid-19 vaccination, dental services, eye checkups and referrals where needed.

The VC further urged everyone to take more responsibility in caring for the environment through simple acts of care such as picking up after oneself.

The Ag Chief Operations Officer,   Mr. Brian Ouma, overemphasized that World Health Day is very important, as we are called upon to re-imagine a world where clean air, safe drinking water and food are available to all.

“This year’s theme “Our Planet Our Health” resonates with the University’s leadership role in re-imagining the environment we want to live in and the world we want to hand down to the future generations. The University has indeed participated in this global thought process, while acting locally to provide solutions to problems in population and public health, alleviating human suffering occasioned by these problems, and thus spurring socio-economic development,” he said.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o stated that the university is in a vulnerable position as its population is of young people who are prone to contracting both communicable and non-communicable illnesses.

Speaking at the event, the ag. Director University Health Services, Dr. Lucy Muhia stated that in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle we are advised to not only improve our physical wellbeing but also our mental wellbeing.

On her part, UNSA Chairperson, Ms. Melvin Thogo in lieu of the students urged everyone to take care of their bodies by incorporating physical fitness in the daily routines. “Most cancer deaths would be preventable if the cancer was detected in its early stages and therefore regular body checkups are advisable,” she added.

The panelist consisted of consultant Surgeon Dr. Elly Nyaim, consultant Urologist Prof. Peter Ngugi, Consultant Surgeon Dr. Daniel Ojuka, Consultant Oncologist Prof. Alice Musibi and Consultant Radio-oncologist Dr. Njoki Njiraini.

Prof. Peter Ngugi who spoke on the management of prostate cancer urged all males to frequently get screened for prostate cancer as it can help in early detection and therefore treatment. He states that if there is a family history of prostate cancer gene testing can estimate the risk of prostate cancer.

Dr. Daniel Ojuka advised women to constantly go for screening or rather does the self-examination so as to detect the cancer early. He also says that obesity is a risk factor for breast cancer due to exogenous estrogen production from the fat.

Prof. Alice Musibi talked on management of cancer through chemotherapy. Chemotherapy uses more than one cancer drugs to treat or ease the symptoms of cancer. She insists that if a cancer patient contracts Covid-19 all cancer treatments should be stopped.

Dr. Njoki Njiraini enlightened participants on radiation therapy which is treating cancer using radiation. She also added that survival for breast Cancer is dependent on the type of Breast cancer, worst survival with Triple negative disease, best with Hormone positive disease. Dependent on site of metastasis is another factor with bone only metastasis being the best, brain metastasis being the poorest prognosis.

On Thursday, April 7, 2022 the University will continue commemorating the World Health Day at the Chancellor’s Court.