Kitui County has commemorated October Cancer Awareness Month with a call for residents to prioritise cancer screening and early detection to improve treatment outcomes and save lives. The event, held at Kitui County Referral Hospital, was marked by a cancer awareness walk flagged off by Lynn Kitwan, the County Chief Officer for Public Health and Sanitation. This year’s theme was “Pain Management: An Essential Part of Palliative Care.”
Speaking during the event, Kitwan urged residents to turn out in large numbers for cancer screening, warning against waiting until symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention. She emphasised that detecting cancer early gives patients a better chance of receiving timely treatment and improving their chances of recovery. She encouraged the public to make regular health checks a priority.
The commemoration also provided free health services, including blood pressure and blood sugar screening, pain and symptoms management, palliative care, mental health assessment and nutritional assessment. The services highlighted the importance of comprehensive healthcare in supporting patients, particularly those living with cancer and other serious illnesses.
The event underscored the role of palliative care in improving patients’ quality of life through pain relief, symptom management and emotional support. Health awareness campaigns remain important in encouraging communities to seek timely medical attention, reduce stigma surrounding cancer and ensure patients receive compassionate care throughout their treatment journey.
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