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34,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer annually

BY David Indeje · October 20, 2017 12:10 pm

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.

 

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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 t