Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Kenya, with many cases being diagnosed at advanced stages. Health experts and stakeholders have called on county governments to enhance cancer screening services, making them as accessible as HIV/AIDS testing. This would significantly reduce deaths resulting from late-stage diagnoses.
Dr. Geoffrey Mutuma of Zambezi Hospital in Nairobi has emphasized the importance of early detection, citing that about 80 percent of cancer patients seek medical attention when the disease has already reached stage four. At this stage, treatment options become limited, and the chances of survival are significantly lower.
“Many patients seek treatment when cancer is at stage three and four, which is not easy to treat. People should not live with cancer for five to ten years without their knowledge,” Dr. Mutuma said.
The healthcare expert has been leading cancer awareness walks across more than 20 counties since 2015 to encourage early detection and treatment. According to him, increased public awareness is crucial in reducing the number of late-stage cancer cases. He also noted that lifestyle choices, including unhealthy diets, have contributed to the rise of cancer cases among younger people aged 30 to 40.
In the coastal region, residents from Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, Tana River, and Lamu counties primarily rely on the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo has expressed concerns about the hospital being overstretched due to the high number of patients it serves.
“I am appealing to the governors in this region to invest more in preventive services and ensure that cancer and other non-communicable diseases are diagnosed and treated early,” Mbogo stated.
The lack of adequate health infrastructure in these counties means that many patients either travel long distances for treatment or fail to access necessary care altogether. This has led to calls for increased investment in cancer screening centers at the county level.
Mr. Mzee Mwinyi Mzee, chairman of the Coast Development Authority, has highlighted that devolution provides county governments with an opportunity to improve public healthcare services. He urged county leaders to prioritize investments in non-communicable disease prevention, including cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
“The county governments should ensure there are health facilities close to the people. We also need to discard myths that cancer is caused by witchcraft,” he noted.
Misinformation and myths about cancer have contributed to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Some communities still believe cancer is linked to supernatural causes, preventing people from seeking medical help in time. Addressing these misconceptions through community education and awareness campaigns is critical in encouraging early screening.
To effectively tackle the cancer burden in Kenya, county governments must:
Invest in Screening Facilities – Establish well-equipped screening centers in county and sub-county hospitals to facilitate early detection.
Raise Public Awareness – Implement widespread cancer education campaigns to inform people about symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of regular check-ups.
Increase Budget Allocation for Cancer Care – Dedicate more funding to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment at the county level.
Improve Healthcare Workforce – Train more medical professionals in cancer detection and treatment to enhance service delivery.
Promote Healthy Lifestyles – Encourage citizens to adopt healthier diets and lifestyles to reduce cancer risks.
Early detection remains the most effective strategy in the fight against cancer. By making screening services more accessible and educating the public on the importance of early diagnosis, county governments can help save thousands of lives.
