NAIROBI, Kenya, OCT 8 – Kenyans are set to enjoy cheaper screening of some types of cancers after AAR Hospital slashed costs.
The level 5 private hospital has halved the cost of a mammogram to Sh2,500 from Sh5,000. Breast ultrasound has also been cut to Sh3,500, down from Sh6,000 in the month of October, which is the awareness period.
Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Kenya, accounting for 16.1 percent of all cases; and the second cause of cancer deaths in the country, making it a focal point in the fight against non-communicable diseases.
A pilot study conducted by the Kenyan Government’s National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) showed poor uptake of breast cancer screening, which unfortunately reduces chances of early detection and treatment.
“Breast cancer screening has been proven to increase chances of early diagnosis and improve on treatment outcomes and survival rates,” said the AAR Hospital Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon Moki Mwendwa.
The cost of testing for prostate cancer, which involves checking the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, has been cut by more than half to Sh2,000 from Sh4,200, while the charges for stool occult blood (colorectal cancer screening) have been reduced from Sh1,100 to Sh900.
Mwendwa says it is recommended that women aged 40 to 55 years undertake a mammogram every year and a test every two years for those above 55 years.
“Breast ultrasound should be done as per the doctor’s request or based on the findings of the mammogram,” he advises.
