Women are up to two times more likely to test for cancer than men, a discounted screening promotional offer by the AAR Hospital has indicated.
Out of the total patients screened for cancer at AAR Hospital in October and November when AAR Hospital had an offer, 32% were male compared to 68% female.
The men participated in ultrasound renal, bladder, and prostate, Ultrasound abdominopelvic cancer screening tests.
The women, on the other hand, participated in Pap smears, Mammograms, and Breast Ultrasound screenings.
“This finding may be explained by the fact that women have more ‘ongoing, routine’ opportunities to be screened when visiting their primary care doctor, such as menstrual pains and pregnancies, whereas men lack these kinds of health events,” said Dr Cynthia Omina, the AAR Hospital Head of Clinical Services.
AAR Hospital in October and November slashed fees for tests related to cancer screening in a move aimed at encouraging men and women to check their health status.
In the Kiambu-Road-based hospital in November cut 30 percent of the renal bladder ultrasound charges to Sh7,000 from the usual cost of 10,000.
AAR Hospital also reduced abdominal pelvic ultrasound charges by Sh1,500 to Sh6,500.
The level five private health provider in the month of October cut the cost of screening for select types of cancers, in some cases by more than half, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In August AAR Hospital conducted free screening for diabetes, after which patients were given the option to register for treatment clinics at the hospital or any health center of their choice.
Dr Fidelis Waitimu of the AAR Hospital observed that Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer among Kenyan men.
Symptoms of the disease include a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, a weak urinary stream, increased frequency of urination especially at night, and blood in the urine.
Patients with advanced prostate cancer may suffer weight loss, low appetite, anemia, bone pain, leg swelling, and weakness or numbness in the legs.
“The presence of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, it is important to visit your doctor for further evaluation,” notes Dr Waitimu. She adds that in some patients, prostate cancer is diagnosed during screening before symptoms develop.
The November Men’s Health Awareness Month aimed at raising awareness of men’s health issues including mental health, prostate and testicular cancer. AAR Hospital additionally reduced the cost of stool occult from 1,100 to 900.
In October AAR Hospital cut the cost of screening for select types of cancers, in some cases by more than half, to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
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.
The hospital has halved the cost of a mammogram to Sh2,500 from Sh5,000 while breast ultrasound charges were cut to Sh3,500 down from Sh6,000 for the whole month of October.
“Breast cancer screening has been proven to increase chances of early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes and survival rates,” said the AAR Hospital Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon Dr Moki Mwendwa.
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