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{
    "id": 621299,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/621299/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 285,
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    "content": "They do not even know the signs of cancer. Therefore, it is very important that people are informed what signs are there if cancer is present. The other day, a lady visited me seeking help with a breast that was almost falling off. She did not know what it was all about. I took her to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) but she died two weeks later. Therefore, awareness is very crucial. Early diagnosis is also important. In the rural areas, people are not aware and by the time they come to know that they have cancer, they have been treated of all kinds of diseases by health professionals who are not qualified. They treat very many diseases until somehow a person ends up in a place where he or she is diagnosed to have cancer. By that time, it is late. I dare say that others are even not diagnosed and they just die thinking that they were bewitched or it is just like any other disease. It is very crucial that the committees be formed at the county level so that people can be sensitised. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, you will remember that there was hype about cancer diagnostic equipment to be sent to counties. I am told by the Chairman of the Council of Governors (CoG) that even though there was so much pressure for governors to sign for the equipment, as of now, the equipment is not there. It is very important that diagnostic equipment for cancer be send to counties. Even if you have the committees and they do not have the facilities, it would be an exercise in futility. In terms of prevention, bad environment is one of the key causes of cancer. For example, we are told about pollution of our water sources. In November last year, following the request by the Senator for Makueni, we visited part of his area where a river had been polluted through leakage of fuel into the water by the Kenya Pipeline Corporation (KPC). It was established that the leakage had gone to about 10 to 15 kilometres downstream but people were not aware and continued to drink the water as usual, although they said that it had some funny taste. As we speak, I am told that the people around the area are already suffering and it will continue for years to come, possibly with serious consequences of this cancer. However, they do not know. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, it is very important we ensure that our environment is protected and that water resources, as Sen. (Prof.) Anyang'-Nyong'o has so much elaborated, are taken care of. Our rivers are so polluted. For example, River Athi which is the source of water in most parts of Ukambani is so polluted. If you go to River Athi, you will find industries pouring toxics into the water. The water goes downstream and people drink it without boiling, thinking that it is good water. If we have these committees, they will inform our people of the dangers of drinking this water. When people are diagnosed with cancer, they should not think that that it is the end of the world. We should have counselors available – I believe through these committees – to counsel patients who are suffering from cancer. I am told – I have every reason to believe it because it is from experts – that by the mere fact that you have been diagnosed as a cancer patient, you just die because of that depression. This is because you think that there is no cure. However, we are told that with proper diagnosis and treatment, cancer is now curable. These are things that our people do not know. There is also the issue of the hospice. When patients are diagnosed and are terminally ill at home, there is a lot of pain associated with cancer and the drugs are expensive. We need care. We need these patients to be identified and followed up with The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}