34,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually

Each year, nearly 34,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer-related diseases and 27,000  from that are at an advanced, according to data from the  Nairobi Registry.

Dr. Miriam Mutebi, a Breast Surgical Oncologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital said, “We are definitely seeing an increasing epidemic in a number of cancer patients. WHO has predicted that by the year 2020 we are going to have at least 20 million new cancer cases. What should alarm us is that three-quarters of those will be from developing countries.”

Speaking during the Barclays Bank of Kenya internal cancer awareness initiative dubbed ‘Wrap your head around breast cancer’ within Kenya she noted that there is an increasing number of cancer patients.

“We don’t have a national registry, but the Nairobi Registry has shown that 34,000 thousand new patients are being diagnosed annually 27,000 thousand from that number are presenting late and end up dying.”

Dr. Mutebi however, says 30 percent of cancer is curable if detected early and at the same time, 30 percent treatable cases can increase longevity.

“The challenges have a conceptual framework from the financial aspect because treating cancer is very costly in all countries, patients also do not have adequate information with myths and stigma around cancer treatment. The third challenge is a delayed diagnosis that delays the ultimate treatment of cancer,” she noted.

Dr Miriam Mutebi, Oncologist “Cancer is curable if detected early. 24,000 Kenyans are diagnosed annually” #AshesToBeauty @Barclays_Kenya pic.twitter.com/CwsCznEh0g

— Sokodirectory.com (@sokodirectory) October 20, 2017

Beyond the statistics, testimonials from cancer patients and those who have been affected painted a grave picture the impact cancer has to families, societies, and the economy.

A cancer diagnosis could be devastating, but cancer does not have to be a death sentence. With a prompt diagnosis, good treatment as well as sustained care and support, cancer is survivable.

Doris Mayoli was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2005.

“Before then, my life was ordinary. I was married with three children. Then, my marriage ended. I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I didn’t feel like there was hope again. I knew I had three months to live,” she says.

“I began to put my house in order, talking to relatives and friends. I started my treatment. I went through tests, chemotherapy, radio then surgery. It was very harrowing,” says Mayoli.

For her, being a breast cancer survivor to an overcomer was not a mean achievement.

“I realised I had to take one day at a time giving my children good memories. I did not have to think about tomorrow, next week or next month. I was to think today,” said Mayoli.

The day my doctors told me I had no cancer cells, I asked myself, “What about others who were not privileged like me?

Since her ordeal she has become a voice for women who have suffered from breast cancer, bringing education and awareness to many and helping people make informed choices about their health.

Her journey inspired her to help change the stigma of cancer by establishing Twakutukuza Trust to benefit people diagnosed with cancer.

Gillian Mutinda, a bone cancer survivor popularly known as a cancer rebel says “When you have hope everything is possible.”

The wrap your head around cancer event was eye-opening, with survivors giving their testimonies and also the state calling for a prioritization on the discussion around health.

There remains a stigma around cancer in most Kenyan societies, but through education and open dialogue, this can be overcome.If women understand more about it, they will be more likely to check their breasts, take their concerns to a doctor, and potentially save their own lives. If breast cancer is caught early, the survival rate is high.

Dr. David Mukami, an oncologist and also the chair of  the Cancer Support Network  reiterated that in Kenya, cancer is not an easy disease and what the government has done is take a holistic approach which focuses on awareness, diagnosis, treatment as measures they have taken to ensure cancer patients are able to afford chemotherapy and other care needed for cancer patients.

“70 – 80 percent of cancer patients come at an advanced stage,” he says.

Key interventions include:

The installation of at least one mammogram machine in every public hospital in the counties.

The Government plans to establish four regional cancer treatment centers in Kisii, Nakuru, Nyeri and Mombasa to decongest the national referral hospitals.

The  National Hospital Insurance Fund  (NHIF) now provides financing for diagnosis and treatment of cancer that covers chemotherapy, radiotherapy, CT scans, MRI and monthly clinic check-ups.

“However, to have a lasting solution towards the diagnosis of cancer, is to prioritise the health in Kenya,” said Mukami.

“ We need an informed populace that is empowered to seek for their rights, demanding for the service when it comes to frequent check-ups. Then it will have a ripple effect for the National all the way to the County government to ensure service providers and machines are in place,” he added.

Mukami also noted that cancer being expensive, he advocates for a universal health care and NHIF is a ‘big solution to bridge the financial burden.’

Read: With increased awareness cancer prevalence in Kenya can be eradicated 

Caroline Ndungu , the Barclays Bank Corporate  Marketing Manager said the ‘Wrap your head around breast cancer’ initiative is geared towards sensitizing the people on breast cancer.

“Hair loss is among the side effects. Hair loss robs off women a sense of dignity as it compounds the problem they already have,” she said. “The initiative is also figurative to begin conversations around cancer patients and the challenges Kenyans face,” she added.

.@Barclays_Kenya Corporate Marketing Manager explains the “wrap your head around breast cancer” initiative #AshesToBeauty pic.twitter.com/0ufeevP1qj

— Sokodirectory.com (@sokodirectory) October 20, 2017

Caroline further noted that besides Barclays Bank’s core business as a financial institution it was aware of what happens within the ecosystem in which they operate in.

“We are aware we operate in an ecosystem and cannot view our success in isolation,” she says.

Instead, we view ourselves as an integral part of the communities we operate in as captured in our shared growth philosophy. When society prospers, we prosper and when we prosper, society prospers. It is a symbiotic relationship,” she emphasised.

Barclays is, therefore, continuing its support to Twakutukuza Trust in the fight against breast cancer.