This archive report was first published on 4 August 2019.
On August 4, 2019, the nation was gripped by the news of several high-profile deaths due to cancer-related ailments, sparking a chorus of calls for urgent action to address the growing cancer crisis in Kenya.
However, in our haste to respond to this crisis, we must not forget that cancer is not a single disease, but rather a collection of dozens of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and proliferation.
Given the complexity of cancer, it is misleading to call for the purchase of 'cancer diagnostic equipment' or provision of 'free cancer drugs' without considering the broader health system.
Diagnosing cancer requires a comprehensive approach, involving signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, and imaging procedures, many of which are also used for other ailments.
Similarly, cancer treatment involves a range of medications and therapies, often used in conjunction with other treatments for co-occurring illnesses.
Effective cancer control, therefore, requires a well-organized health system that promotes healthy lifestyles, prevents diseases, and provides early treatment.
A good health system should have four key components: health promotion, disease prevention, curative services, and rehabilitation.
At the primary healthcare level, health promotion and disease prevention should be the main focus, with interventions such as ensuring a healthy environment, providing safe drinking water, and promoting physical activity.
By taking a comprehensive approach to health, we can slow down the march of cancer and other chronic diseases, and ensure that only those with established and complicated illnesses require specialized services.
Unfortunately, in Kenya, we often prioritize building 'cancer hospitals' without addressing the underlying health system issues, resulting in a lack of progress in cancer control.
— Lukoye Atwoli is Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Dean, Moi University School of Medicine
