World Health Organization (WHO) statistics indicate that cancer is still the second leading Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) in Kenya after cardiovascular diseases with 42, 000 new cases recorded every year.
Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha noted that 27, 000 cancer related deaths are recorded every year.
The CS said that the leading is breast, cervical, prostrate, esophageal and colorectal cancers.
Moreover, CS Nakhumicha noted that most of these cancers can be prevented through screening and early diagnosis.
However, this has not been the case as most patients seek medical attention in late stages when it is difficult and expensive to treat.
While speaking on Friday, January 27 during the launch of National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month in Runyenjes Stadium in Embu, the health CS said the narrative could be changed if all Kenyans adopted good health-seeking behavior such as going for regular medical checkups.
She also reported that the state has acquired all the necessary tools to fight the disease with cervical cancer, being the first one marked for elimination.
The CS further stated that Human Papillomavirus (HPV) was the main cause of cervical cancer with its infection causing up to 99 percent of all cervical cancer cases.
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CS Nakhumicha however stated that there is hope in preventing the spread of cervical cancer as it takes 10-15 years for the changes in the cervix caused by HPV to develop into cancer.
“This gives us an opportunity to screen and treat to prevent the disease,” she said, noting that the vaccine targeting HPV infections was available that was safe and effective.
She said the vaccine was available free of charge in all facilities providing routine immunization for children across the country.
“We are working towards vaccination of 90 percent of girls from the ages of 10-14 years, screening of 70 percent women between 35-49 years and providing treatment and care for 90 percent of women identified with cervical cancer,” the CS said.
The CS also stated that the ministry of health in collaboration with Clinton Health Access Initiative, had distributed over 800 thermal ablations for treatment of pre-cervical cancerous lesions to health facilities across the country.
