Challenges cancer patients face in quest for treatment in Kenya

In 2016, at 35, Margaret Kamau's life took a cataclysmic turn.  The mother of two, full of dreams, felt a lump in her breast. A diagnosis confirmed her worst fear—breast cancer.

“It wasn't easy to accept my diagnosis," Margaret recalls. “I started crying… My husband was with me, and we were overwhelmed."

The treatment journey has been financially and emotionally taxing. Medical treatments were expensive, and Margaret found herself relying on community fundraising, popularly known as ‘harambees’ to fund her treatment.

Friends distanced themselves, and the stigma was palpable. Some friends ran away from me," she says.

Undeterred, Margaret underwent six chemotherapy sessions and 25 radiotherapy treatments. Now aged 50 and cancer-free, she has become a steeplespire of hope for many cancer patients, with a clear message: "Know yourself. Early screening is crucial."

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Caroline Mureithi, a 38-year-old mother of two from Kiambu’s Kirigiti village, is a cervical cancer survivor whose diagnosis came last year. She emphasises the importance of early detection.

 “If only I had come earlier," she says, "My treatment would have been shorter."

 Caroline's journey began with unusual symptoms. “I came to know that I was sick when I was having an unusual discharge,” she says.

 Caroline, now a cancer-free woman, finished her treatment in November last year. She is currently reeling in pain of swollen arms and legs. She says the doctors told her that these are the side effects of the cancer treatment.

 Like Margaret, she faced the financial burden of cancer treatment, relying on family and friends for support.

 “Cancer treatment is not cheap, family and friends had to chip in,” she quips.

 As Kenya joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Cancer Day yesterday, Dr Emily Basito from the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral, and Research Hospital, highlighted this year's theme: "United by Unique." She emphasizes a critical message: "Cancer is not a death sentence. We must change that perception."

 However, Kenya is facing a growing cancer challenge.

 According to national statistics, the country now sees approximately 45,000 cancer cases annually. This underscores the critical need for a people-centered approach to cancer care, early detection, and community support.

 In 2020, Kenya reported 42,000 new cancer cases and 27,000 cancer-related deaths. Cancer has been the leading killer among those aged 50-59, accounting for 12.7 per cent of the deaths.

Cervical and breast cancers take the lead, contributing to 23 per cent of cancer-related deaths, followed by esophageal cancer at 11.8 per cent, colorectal cancer at 10.1 per cent and prostate cancer at 7.1 per cent. According to the National Cancer Registry Data for 2021/2022, Nairobi, Nakuru and Kiambu counties lead in cancer cases.

According to statistics from Makueni County Referral Hospital, cancer cases increased from 1,745 in 2023 to 2270 in 2024, a staggering 31 per cent rise within a year.

 Breast cancer was the most diagnosed type of cancer in the county in 2024, with 555 cases (552 women and 3 men) followed by prostate cancer at 479 and cervical cancer at 210. 

 In response, the county plans to expand the capacity of its cancer treatment center to accommodate the spiking number of patients.

 Cancer continues to rear its viciousness, ravaging millions in its wake while leaving behind a trail of deaths, poverty and grief.

 As a significant global concern, the deadly disease has been ranked as the second-leading cause of death worldwide, and the third-leading cause of death in Kenya after cardiovascular and infectious diseases.

However, prevention strategies, early detection, and timely treatment have been confirmed to play a crucial role in combating it.

 In Kenya, cervical cancer claims nine women every day, and over 3,000 women die from the disease each year.

This type of cancer is the world's second deadliest of its kind, with 5,226 new cases reported each year in Kenya alone.

 On a global scale, the disease claims approximately 10 million lives annually.

 The Ministry of Health has emphasised the importance of early screening and timely treatment, stating that late diagnosis significantly reduces the chances of survival for affected women.

Kenya recently celebrated World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with renewed vigour, in line with global efforts to combat cervical cancer.

 Zeinab Gura the CEO of KUTRRH, addressing concerns over cancer medication shortages, acknowledged the challenges in the national supply chain but assured the public of ongoing efforts to secure necessary drugs.

 “We are working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that our patients have access to essential medications," she stated.

 Kembi Gitura, Chairperson of the Kenya Medical Supply Agency (KEMSA), speaking on behalf of PS Harry Kimtai, highlighted the financial constraints affecting access to cancer treatment. He emphasised the need for increased funding and strategic planning to ensure that patients receive timely and adequate care.

 According to the Global Cancer Observatory, in 2020, Kenya reported approximately 42,000 new cancer cases and 27,000 cancer-related deaths. The most common cancers include breast, cervical, esophageal, and prostate cancers.

 Regional disparities in cancer prevalence are evident. For instance, oesophageal cancer is notably prevalent in certain regions of Kenya, contributing to the country's cancer burden. Studies have indicated that East Africa, including Kenya, has extremely high incidence and mortality rates from esophageal cancer, similar to the Asian esophageal cancer belt.

 In response to the growing cancer burden, Kenya has implemented several initiatives aimed at prevention, early detection, and treatment. The Ministry of Health has been at the forefront, emphasising the importance of regular screenings, especially for cancers like cervical and breast cancer, which have higher treatment success rates when detected early.

 Additionally, there have been efforts to decentralise cancer treatment services to make them more accessible to populations in various regions. This includes establishing regional cancer centers equipped with diagnostic and treatment facilities.

Public awareness campaigns have also been intensified, aiming to educate the populace on cancer risk factors, the importance of early detection, and available treatment options. These campaigns often involve collaborations between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and community groups.

However, challenges remain.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO) has called on the government to streamline the Social Health Authority, to ensure reprieve to thousands of cancer patients now grappling with the financial burden.

 Speaking in Nairobi, representatives drawn from the Cancer Survivors Association of Kenya (CSAK), Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya (NCDAK), Health NGO’s Network (HENNET) and the Kenya Society of Haematology and Oncology (KESHO), blamed the suffering of patients on SHA failures.

They demanded the reinstatement of Herceptin in all public hospitals, optimisation of radiotherapy services and a revision of SHA coverage to ensure a complete treatment cycle.