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{
    "id": 621696,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/621696/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 314,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Wangari",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13123,
        "legal_name": "Martha Wangari",
        "slug": "martha-wangari"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, last week, while you were away, I said that I knew you when we were real hustlers and it generated quite a debate. However, the Chair ruled that I do not need to breakdown the meaning of the word “hustler”. I congratulate you and I believe that your star will keep shining. I also congratulate Sen. (Dr.) Kuti for this Bill because it is critical. We know that globally, the deaths that occur from cancer are more than the deaths resulting from HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria combined. It is quite a shocking revelation that 70 per cent of the deaths are in underdeveloped countries, including the low and middle income level countries where Kenya lies. Cancer does not know age, tribe or class. It affects all of us. In fact, if you do a quick study in this House, you will find that almost all of us have been affected in one way or another by cancer. The pain that families go through is quite indescribable. I know that most Members of this House go to constituencies over the weekend to attend fundraisers, most of which are out of the death of cancer patients or the medical Bills that are out of reach that cannot be handled by affected families because a majority of the population is below the poverty level index. We are still doing badly as a county and having this additional burden does not help matters. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, 10 to 20 years ago, the cancer disease was still very alien. People did not understand exactly what cancer was. We gave hype to Malaria and HIV/AIDS and had many campaigns. However, the deaths that are occurring from cancer are shocking. It is gruesome to know that if you go the Kenyatta National Hospital Children’s Ward, you cannot stand the pain that those children go through. It is a sad scenario and a sorry state knowing that this is something that can be avoided because 30 per cent of cancer cases can be cured if they are diagnosed early. Those are the statistics but we are doing badly in terms of this education. How do people know that they can be tested and cured of cancer? In Kenya, cancer is the third in causes of morbidity. In fact, it is after infectious and cardiovascular diseases that cancer is discovered. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, there are many myths that are associated with this. I know Sen. Musila has already alluded to some of them that you will get cancer and people will say you are bewitched, others will say you ate someone’s money that is why you are suffering, and most importantly is that there is miscommunication about cancer. It is stigmatizing because people do not know. They think that if you sit with someone The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}