Why oesophagus cancer is common in rift valley

Cancer of the oesophagus or food pipe is quite common in Rift Valley, a pathology lab in Nairobi has noted.

‘‘When we get samples for cancer testing from Tenwek Mission Hospital, a majority turn positive for oesophagus cancer,’’ said Dr Shaheen Sayed, a consultant pathologist at Aga Khan University Hospital, adding that the food pipe cancer could be linked to volcanic soils, tobacco chewing or smoking and diet especially intake of traditional fermented milk (mursik) which contains ash.