Kenyans have been urged to embrace regular cancer screening as awareness efforts intensify over the rising impact of the disease on families and communities.
In Murang’a town, activist James Irungu has drawn national attention after clocking over 65 hours hugging a tree in a symbolic campaign to highlight cancer’s burden. The initiative, which began on Sunday night, January 4, is expected to conclude on Thursday, January 8.
Irungu says the campaign aims to push for greater public awareness and to urge the government to declare cancer a national disaster to unlock coordinated intervention.
Supporting the initiative, Dr George Obonyo of the Texas Cancer Centre called on Kenyans to prioritise routine screening, noting that early detection significantly improves treatment outcomes.
He warned that many patients seek care when the disease is already advanced, limiting treatment options. Dr Obonyo identified breast, cervical and prostate cancers as the most common in Kenya and encouraged the use of accessible, non-invasive screening methods.
He also urged parents to take girls aged 9 to 14 for free HPV vaccination, noting cervical cancer is largely preventable through early intervention.
