Nyanza and Western residents have a reason to smile as the African Cancer Foundation, Matibabu Foundation and the Kisumu County Government have jointly launched the Western Kenya Cervical Cancer Campaign in Kisumu.

The program intends to promote civic education about cancer disease in all the 14 counties within the Lake Region Bloc (LREB).

Kisumu County communication officer John Oywa said that the 14 counties include Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Busia, Nandi, Kericho, and Bomet.

Oywa said the program intends to provide an opportunity for the local media to have interviews with cancer survivors, leading cancer ambassadors and the families of the victims on how to handle such patients.

“The ambassadors will hold conversations with patients, friends, and families about cervical cancer,” Oywa said.

He added that the campaign will run through January, which has been marked as Cervical Cancer Awareness month and it targets over 10 million people.

Members of the public have been urged to turn up in large numbers for the free cancer screening and vaccination exercise.

Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of female cancer deaths in Kenya.

The disease is treatable if early screening and timely intervention is done.

The event will take place at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Those expected to grace the event include Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o and the CEO Matibabu Foundation, Dan Ogola.