This archive report was first published on 27 July 2019.
Published on July 27, 2019, a report tabled in the National Assembly revealed alarming cancer statistics in Kenya.
Every day, at least 133 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer, translating to 3,990 new cases monthly and 47,887 annually, a significant increase from 41,000 cases recorded in 2012.
According to the report by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), breast cancer tops the list with 5,985 new cases annually, followed closely by cervical cancer with 5,250 new cases yearly.
Esophagus cancer is the third leading type, with 4,380 new cases annually, while prostate and colorectal cancers account for 2,864 and 2,316 new cases, respectively.
The report also showed a rise in cancer-related deaths, with 32,987 fatalities in 2018, up from 28,500 in 2012. This translates to 1,099 deaths monthly or 36 deaths daily.
NCI CEO Alfred Karagu told MPs that cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, with estimates suggesting 47,887 new cases and 32,987 deaths annually.
Breaking down the deaths by type, esophagus cancer leads with 4,351 fatalities, followed by cervical (3,286), breast (2,553), prostate (1,663), and colorectal (1,466) cancers.
