Story by Sherine Atieno and photos by Ondari Ogega
“It is deeply fulfilling to tell a woman that she is free from breast cancer for the next 12 months after screening…..,” reflects Dr. Albert Ng’ong’a, surgical Resident at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH).
His words embody the spirit of the free breast cancer screening campaign, a joint initiative between the Kisumu Breast Cancer Project (KBCP) and JOOTRH, which today marked the successful close of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The initiative has screened more than 400 women since it began, offering free breast examinations, mammograms, and biopsies to promote early detection and timely treatment. The exercise, which attracted women from both urban and rural areas, has been lauded for breaking barriers to access and empowering women with knowledge about their health.
On the final day of the free screening, Kisumu First Lady, Mama Dorothy Nyong’o, visited JOOTRH to celebrate the milestone and commend the efforts of the medical teams behind the program. She encouraged women to make screening an annual routine, emphasizing that early detection greatly increases treatment success.
The screening process begins with risk stratification, a brief questionnaire assessing symptoms and risk factors such as family history, previous biopsies, or radiation exposure, followed by a clinical breast examination. Those showing suspicious findings are referred for ultrasound or mammography, while others receive counselling on breast self-examination and lifestyle modification.
Dr. Ng’ong’a emphasized the importance of regular screening, particularly for women above 40 years, who are considered at higher risk. He also noted that while breast cancer predominantly affects women, men are not exempt and should seek screening if they notice any changes.
During the first phase of the campaign, 34 women from rural areas benefited from the exercise, highlighting the need for outreach programs to bring services closer to underserved communities.
As the free screening exercise concludes today, JOOTRH Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Okise reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to expanding access to care through the upcoming “JOOTRH Mashinani” program. The initiative will take essential health services, including cancer screening, to community levels to ensure early diagnosis and intervention.
