• About Us
  • Archives
  • SWG Registration
Samrack Media
Mahiga Homes
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events
No Result
View All Result
Samrack Media
No Result
View All Result

Fresh details of Beth Mugo’s cancer testimony that moved Africa First Ladies to tears

samrack by samrack
July 30, 2015
in Diaspora, Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2015, Health, Kenya, Kenya Diaspora News, News, Women Empowerment
A A
0
Fresh details of Beth Mugo’s cancer testimony that moved Africa First Ladies to tears
Share this
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmailWhatsAppLinkedIn

Fresh details of Beth Mugo’s cancer testimony that moved Africa First Ladies to tears

By John Muchangi

She has shared her experience many times, but last week former Health minister Beth Mugo moved African first ladies to tears when she – for the first time – revealed how she desperately struggled to hide from the media the shocking news of her cancer diagnosis.

Mugo, currently a nominated senator, also hid from public for months as she painfully absorbed the impact of the 2011 diagnosis.

“When you’re first diagnosed with cancer, you feel this is it…..I am going to die. I had told my doctor to keep my file under lock and key and especially the press must not see it,” Mugo told the 12 first ladies on Monday.

Some of them choked back tears as the 76-year-old politician bravely shared fresh details of her experience.

“You have to come out of that shock fast enough to be able to confront what’s ahead of you,” she said.

Mugo was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 during a routine medical checkup in Nairobi. A mammogram initially missed the lump, which she could confidently feel in her breast.

 She sought a second opinion where a CT scan confirmed the lump, which turned out to be cancerous.

She initially sought treatment in the US where the lump was completely removed. However, she was expected to receive several chemotherapy regimes in the US and Kenya the following years.

On Monday, Mugo was one of the four survivors who narrated their emotional experiences at the 9th Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer Conference in Nairobi.

 Deputy head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Dr Kwaku Aning, a Ghanaian scientist, revealed how his family has been afflicted by the disease.

 “I come from a cancer family,” Dr Aning said. He was successfully treated for prostate cancer but his father and several relatives have succumbed to various cancers mainly due to late diagnosis and poor treatment.

Cancer results from cells that uncontrollably grow and do not die. Some form lumps, which may eventually rupture into wounds.

It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But US’s National Cancer Institute says certain factors may increase a person’s chances. Although some of these risk factors—like family history or growing older—cannot be avoided, others—like lack of exercise, bad diet, polluted environment and using tobacco—can be avoided.

Beth Mugo finally disclosed to Kenyans her diagnosis at a press conference in January 2012.

Last Monday, she revealed how that move troubled her. “When I went public, I wondered if this was the right thing I should have done.”

 Mugo says she now believes that was the best decision. “It reduced stigma in the society. Cancer is a disease like any other. We shouldn’t be surprised that one has cancer. When I was diagnosed I went through very strenuous treatment. But my family and Kenyans supported me. Without my family I wouldn’t have handled it,” she says.

 While Mugo was the second public figure, after Medical Services Minister Prof Anyang Nyong’o, to make their cancer diagnosis public, in reality, thousands of Kenya were dying unnecessarily without proper diagnosis or treatment.

 The Ministry of Health’s 2013 national cancer treatment guideline estimates that 39,000 Kenyans every year test positive for cancer, while 27,000 others succumb to the same disease. Sixty per cent of those affected are less than 70 years old.

Breast and cervical cancer are the most common among women while prostate cancer leads among men.

Mugo now implores women at every opportunity to get tested. She was lucky the breast cancer was diagnosed at stage one, and stood good chance of successful treatment.

 Studies have shown that more than 90 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage survive their disease for at least five years compared to around 15 per cent for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease.

 She advises women above 40 years to have an annual clinical breast exam and do a monthly self-exam. Those from families with history of the disease should begin about 10 years earlier. They should not panic if a lump is found — about 80 percent of biopsied breast lumps are benign.

 Mugo notes that cancer treatment is expensive. However, Health Cabinet Secretary James Macharia says all the treatment is now covered by the National Health Insurance Fund because of increased contribution rates.

 Screening for breast and cervical cancer is free in most public hospitals above level four.

When picked early, these cancers are easily treated and cured. Girls below 12 years should also get the three-dose series of HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.

 In their final declaration, the First Ladies promised to advocate for healthy lifestyles, prevention, early detection, treatment, care and palliative care.

 First Lady Margaret Kenyatta particularly called for more effort towards prevention and early diagnosis.

 “The good news is that, Africa now has a great opportunity to do more – through early screening and treatment – of cervical and other cancers,” she said.

 Mugo says this cannot be left to governments alone, and urges the private sector to chip in. She advises those diagnosed with the disease to stay calm. “Don’t panic when you’re told you have cancer, because you can live.”

Mugo was finally declared cancer free in 2013. She says: “My oncologist told me, Beth, what will kill you will not be cancer. It will probably be old age.”

SOURCE: http://www.the-star.co.ke

Previous Post

Daystar’s University Afrizo Choir to feature in Coke Studio 3

Next Post

Kenyans in US Who Invested with FEP Cry Foul as Concerns over the Group Grow

Related Posts

Kenya Airways Subsidiary Fahari Aviation To Receive Embraer Eve eVTOL Aircraft From 2026
Business

Kenya Airways Subsidiary Fahari Aviation To Receive Embraer Eve eVTOL Aircraft From 2026

June 22, 2022
Kenyan Nurse Given a Three-story Home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania After Volunteer Work
Diaspora

Kenyan Nurse Given a Three-story Home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania After Volunteer Work

June 22, 2022
Uhuru’s Daughter Ngina Kenyatta Ties the Knot in a Traditional Wedding Ceremony
Diaspora

Uhuru’s Daughter Ngina Kenyatta Ties the Knot in a Traditional Wedding Ceremony

June 22, 2022
Untold Stories of How Thika Road Estates Got Their Names
Business

Untold Stories of How Thika Road Estates Got Their Names

June 22, 2022
President Uhuru Rejects To Assent Into Law ICT Bill, Opting To Send It Back To Parliament For Review
Kenya

President Uhuru Rejects To Assent Into Law ICT Bill, Opting To Send It Back To Parliament For Review

June 22, 2022
Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs, Nairobi county.
Business

Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs, Nairobi county.

June 22, 2022
Next Post
Kenyans in US Who Invested with FEP Cry Foul as Concerns over the Group Grow

Kenyans in US Who Invested with FEP Cry Foul as Concerns over the Group Grow

Please login to join discussion
Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply. Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply. Job Openings Below is a list of current job openings at Northeast Clinical Services, Inc.. Please click on an opening in the list to view details and apply.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest News

Kenya Airways Subsidiary Fahari Aviation To Receive Embraer Eve eVTOL Aircraft From 2026

Kenyan Nurse Given a Three-story Home in Lebanon, Pennsylvania After Volunteer Work

Uhuru’s Daughter Ngina Kenyatta Ties the Knot in a Traditional Wedding Ceremony

Untold Stories of How Thika Road Estates Got Their Names

President Uhuru Rejects To Assent Into Law ICT Bill, Opting To Send It Back To Parliament For Review

Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs, Nairobi county.

George Wajakoya’s Running mate: Who is Justina Wangui Wamae

IEBC set to make corrections to voters’ register

Kenya cannot ban Mitumba without upsetting the US,Just ask Rwanda

Transition/Death Announcement of Francis Kagumba Mwenenia (Father to Pastor Naomi Kagumba (Lowell,MA ) of St Stephen’s Church Dracut,MA

We are grateful for your monthly or one-off donations To Samrack Media: Cash App No: 781-888-8770 $SAMRACK001

Money

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency

by samrack
November 19, 2021
0

New Digital Skills Helps Unemployed Kenyan Youth Earn In Cryptocurrency This week sees the launch of a new initiative to equip...

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya

by samrack
September 17, 2021
0

A simple guide to Government Bonds investing in Kenya A treasury bond (T-bond) is a medium term to long term...

Politics

Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs, Nairobi county.

Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs, Nairobi county.

by samrack
June 22, 2022
0

Police in Nairobi recovered 22 firearms and 565 rounds of ammunition during an auction mission on Tuesday in Kilimani suburbs,...

George Wajakoya’s Running mate: Who is Justina Wangui Wamae

George Wajakoya’s Running mate: Who is Justina Wangui Wamae

by samrack
June 9, 2022
0

She has risen to prominence, following her selection as a running mate for one of the only four presidential candidates...

  • About Us
  • Archives
  • SWG Registration

© 2021 SAMRACK - Diaspora News & Updates; design by: Samrack.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • ALL NEWS
  • Diaspora
  • Africa
    • AFRICA
    • KENYA
  • BUSINESS
    • BUSINESS
    • INVESTMENTS
    • REAL ESTATE
    • TECHNOLOGY
  • Politics
  • Health
    • HEALTH
    • EDUCATION
  • Religion
  • People
    • PEOPLE
    • LIFESTYLE
    • RELATIONSHIPS
  • Obituaries
  • Videos
  • Events

© 2021 SAMRACK - Diaspora News & Updates; design by: Samrack.

Page generated in 0.885 seconds. Stats plugin by www.blog.ca