Cancer Situation in Kenya |
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular disease, according to National Cancer Institute of Kenya. The WHO's International Agency for Reseasrch on Cancer Globocan Report indicates that in 2020 more than 42,000 new cases and 27,000 deaths were reported.
Cervical, breast, prostate and esophagus cancers are the most prevalent. The Globocan reports show that in 2020, for example, 6799, 5236, 3412, 2974 new cases were reported for breast, cervical, prostate and esophagus cancers. The same cancers posted the highest mortality rates, in that order. Yet basic information, screening and treatment services for different cancers are scarcely available or accessible to hundreds of thousands. This is especially true for those residing in rural communities or those who do not have the means to afford basic screening services. |
Our health program started in 2009, with the BEST (breast cancer education, screening and treatment) project, as a response to the challenges, Dorcas, faced in seeking cancer care. You can read about Dorcas here.
Today we focus on breast, cervical, prostate and esophagus cancers. Projects are preventative, public health, curative and care support in nature, and for men and women. |
In 2021 we trained over 340 CHVs attached to the above hospitals, on cancer information, education, behavior changes (IEB) addressing issues on HPV, alcohol abuse, nutrition, physical exercise, among other public health matters. These CHVs are creating awareness and educating their people on cancer. They are spreading hope where their is fear and ignorance. Every year, this team educates over 5,000 community members, in their homes, at markets, and churches.
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Early detection of cancer and prompt treatment have significant effect on cancer outcomes. We have trained tens of frontline health care workers at the three hospitals and mentored them on screening ('see and treat' methods for cervical cancer, clinical breast exam, visual inspection of cervix, digital rectal exams, and PSA test for prostate) counselling and effective, timely referral procedures for those who need advanced care. They in turn screen over 1800 community members annually, and treated hundreds for reproductive health issues including, treating pre-cancerous cervical lesions and urine retention. We periodically organize health and medical camps in remote or hard to reach areas. These outreaches offer education and screening in one place, en masse.
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Programs |
DALA |
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