Oesophageal cancer cases have surged in Wajir County, northern Kenya, becoming the leading cancer type diagnosed at Wajir County Referral Hospital, where it now accounts for 44 percent of all cancer cases. This rise is part of a troubling trend across the region, with the cancer’s incidence steadily increasing. Many patients suffer from symptoms for up to six years before being diagnosed, largely due to a combination of low cancer awareness, limited healthcare services, and delayed access to diagnosis.
The growing prevalence of oesophageal cancer in Wajir highlights significant health challenges in northern Kenya, where resources are scarce, and awareness is minimal. The county’s healthcare system faces severe limitations, with only one oncologist serving the entire population. There is also a lack of advanced cancer treatment facilities, such as radiotherapy, leaving patients with few options other than chemotherapy at the county hospital. However, for more advanced cases, patients must be referred to the Garissa Regional Cancer Centre or even travel to Nairobi for further treatment.
The situation is exacerbated by financial barriers, with many patients struggling to afford the necessary care. In a cohort of 25 cancer patients surveyed in a recent study, 52 percent preferred seeking treatment at the Garissa centre, while a smaller proportion sought care in Nairobi. Only a few patients opted for home-based care, demonstrating the preference for seeking more specialized treatment despite the financial and logistical challenges.
Cultural taboos and stigma surrounding cancer diagnosis also contribute to delays in seeking medical care, compounding the issue. Many patients are reluctant to visit healthcare facilities, often waiting until the disease is in its advanced stages before seeking help. In rural areas like Wajir, cancer care facilities are few and far between, and the lack of awareness about early detection and treatment options means that many individuals do not seek out care until it is too late for effective intervention.
Furthermore, the shortage of oncology-trained professionals and critical treatment services, such as radiotherapy, hinders the delivery of adequate cancer care in the region. In urban areas, cancer services are more accessible, often within a 5-kilometre radius of each other, but for rural populations, access is much more limited. This disparity in access to care leads to inequities in health outcomes, with rural populations like those in Wajir experiencing poorer prognosis and higher mortality rates.
The national cancer care landscape in Kenya is equally concerning. The 2022 Globocan report revealed that Kenya recorded over 44,000 new cancer cases and nearly 30,000 cancer-related deaths in 2022. Among the most common cancers for women were breast, cervical, and oesophageal cancers, while prostate, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers were most prevalent among men. Despite these alarming statistics, the country continues to grapple with widespread barriers to accessing early detection services, especially in informal urban settlements and rural regions.
Experts have highlighted the urgent need for better cancer care infrastructure, more widespread screening programs, and improved access to health insurance to address the financial burden of treatment. They also advocate for increased public education on cancer and its prevention. Without such measures, the gap in cancer care access will continue to widen, and the death toll from cancer will likely keep rising, disproportionately affecting rural populations.
In addition to the direct health implications, the financial costs of cancer care remain a significant barrier. The economic burden of cancer-related expenses in Kenya is profound, with many patients and their families facing financial devastation due to the high costs of treatment. If Kenya’s cancer care system does not see comprehensive reforms, the country’s fight against cancer will continue to face significant challenges, with devastating consequences for many individuals and families.
