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Kenyans have been urged to go for early cancer screening to lessen the severity of the disease and increase survival rates.

As the third leading cause of death in Kenya, medics say that cancer is a major public health concern that places a great burden on families, communities, and the health system and called for early diagnosis for more effective treatment.

According to Dr Kibet Shikuku, a Hematologist at the Nairobi West Hospital, there is also an urgent need to increase public knowledge about blood cancers, their symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments.

While noting that blood cancer is a malignancy that originates in the bone marrow, Dr Shikuku pointed out that blood cancer occurs when abnormal blood cells overwhelm normal ones, leading to various health complications.

The hematologist who spoke at a time when the country is observing Blood Cancer Awareness Month revealed that signals of Leukemia, Lymphoma, Myeloma are unexplained weight loss, unexplained bruising or bleeding, lumps or swelling, shortness of breath, night sweats, persistent, severe infections, recurrent fever, itchy skin, pain in bones, joints, or abdomen, fatigue and pale complexion.

Environmental factors

“The precise causes of blood cancer are not fully understood, but it is believed that a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to its development. Some of the risk factors include age, sex, ethnicity, family history, radiation or chemical exposure and other health conditions,” he stated.

Shikuku at the same time pointed out that one of the most effective treatments for blood cancer is Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT), a procedure that involves replacing damaged or diseased bone marrow with healthy cells, aiming to restore normal blood cell production.

“At The Nairobi West Hospital’s Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, we provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for blood disorders.

“Our offerings include routine blood count tests, cell and bone marrow transplantation, and specialized care for conditions such as low or high red blood cell counts and genetic blood diseases. We support patients from initial diagnosis through ongoing treatment and care,” he said.

Blood Cancer Awareness Month serves as a crucial time to promote understanding and early detection of blood cancer. “Awareness can lead to better prevention, early diagnosis, and ultimately improving outcomes and saving lives,” added Shikuku.