{"id":14347,"date":"2025-10-14T17:34:29","date_gmt":"2025-10-14T14:34:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/?p=14347"},"modified":"2025-10-15T17:39:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T14:39:44","slug":"what-you-dont-know-can-hurt-you-community-led-model-sparks-lung-cancer-awareness-revolution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/what-you-dont-know-can-hurt-you-community-led-model-sparks-lung-cancer-awareness-revolution","title":{"rendered":"WHAT YOU DON\u2019T KNOW CAN HURT YOU: COMMUNITY-LED MODEL SPARKS LUNG CANCER AWARENESS REVOLUTION"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>In a powerful display of collaboration and innovation, a new community-based model is transforming lung cancer awareness at the grassroots level. Long haunted by the belief that \u201cwhat you don\u2019t know doesn\u2019t hurt,\u201d many communities have historically shied away from cancer screening and education \u2014 but that is rapidly changing, thanks to the transformative C-CARE Model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The initiative  a brainchild of the partnership between the County Government of Uasin Gishu and the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (BMSF) is delivering creative, relatable, and effective cancer education right where it\u2019s needed most: at the community level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During her visit to Kamalel Health Centre, BMSF President Catherine Greens lauded the program\u2019s reach and impact, commending the passion and professionalism of community health promoters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThe expertise and dedication I\u2019ve witnessed here are truly inspiring. We must keep the momentum going to build a healthier, brighter future together,\u201d she stated.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Joan Letting, the Community Health Strategy Focal Person, emphasized that the C-CARE model is more than just about information  it\u2019s about transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14357\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14357\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0044.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14356\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0045.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14355\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0046.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cWe\u2019re seeing real change. People are becoming more open to screening, more informed, and most importantly, more proactive about their health,\u201d Letting said.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>A key driver of the model\u2019s success is its holistic design: awareness campaigns that meet people where they are; education that is relatable and stigma-free; research that informs evidence-based action; and tobacco cessation programs that are voluntary, incentive-free, and people-driven.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One standout success story is that of Francis Wachira, a former heavy smoker who has reduced his consumption from 30 cigarettes a day to just three \u2014 and counting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14353\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0047.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14354\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14354\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0048.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14351\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14351\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0050.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14350\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14350\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0051.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14349\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14349\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0052.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" data-id=\"14348\" src=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14348\" srcset=\"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053-376x251.jpg 376w, https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG-20251014-WA0053.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>\u201cThe sensitization helped me see what I was doing to myself. I now want to help others quit too,\u201d he shared proudly.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The initiative has not only kick-started a tobacco cessation movement but also strengthened the referral system for lung-related illnesses  ensuring that patients can transition smoothly from community-level care to tertiary facilities such as Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With myths being dispelled and lives being saved, the message is clear: what you don\u2019t know can hurt you \u2014 but what you learn can heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the C-CARE Model continues to take root, this quiet revolution in Kamalel may well become the blueprint for nationwide&nbsp;change.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a powerful display of collaboration and innovation, a new community-based model is transforming lung cancer awareness at the grassroots level. Long haunted by the belief that \u201cwhat you don\u2019t [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":14352,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[235,3,398,944,211,61,90,8,68],"tags":[1474,12,89,977,213,1473],"class_list":["post-14347","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-235","category-city-news","category-community-health-promoters","category-county-health-promoters","category-health-news-only","category-health-services","category-healthcare-services","category-latest-news","category-nguzo-kumi-manifesto","tag-c-care-model","tag-government","tag-healthcare-services","tag-moi-teaching-and-referral-hospital","tag-nguzo-kumi-blueprint","tag-tobacco-cessation-movement"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14347","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14347"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14347\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14358,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14347\/revisions\/14358"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14347"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14347"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uasingishu.go.ke\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14347"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}