This archive report was first published on 24 July 2021.
With cancer claiming over 27,000 lives annually in Kenya, the National Cancer Task Force has urged citizens to prioritize early cancer screening.
According to statistics, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country, accounting for approximately 6,700 lives lost each year.
Other top cancer killers in Kenya include cervical cancer, with 5,200 annual deaths, followed by esophagus, prostate, and colon cancer.
Alfred Kiragu, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, lamented the low turnout for cancer screening, citing statistics from the Ministry of Health that rank cancer as the third leading cause of mortality in the country.
“Most people fear going for screening due to the stigma surrounding cancer, which is perceived as a death sentence,” said Miriam Mutebi, Co-chair of the National Cancer Task Force.
Mutebi emphasized the need to sensitize the public about cancer and to develop innovative solutions to tackle the disease, including strengthening primary healthcare providers' ability to conduct early screenings and providing financial and moral support to cancer patients.
As part of their efforts, the task force plans to submit a report to Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, outlining their findings and proposed recommendations for action.
One cervical cancer survivor, Saum Mbaraq, shared her emotional journey, highlighting the challenges she faced in accessing information about the disease and the importance of support for cancer patients.
By Chari Suche, published on July 24, 2021.
