Research key in reducing cancer burden

Kenya has about 25 cancer specialists attending to the 47,000 cancer patients across the country. FILE PHOTO | NMG

It is now estimated that one in every five men and one in every six women worldwide will develop cancer during their lifetime. East Africa has one of the highest number of reported new cancer cases in the world.

The recently released global cancer statistics show that cancer cases in Kenya are expected to increase to more than 47,000 cases in 2018 up from 35,000 in 2012. Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya and is contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases on top of the already existing communicable diseases.

This double burden of disease is causing a significant strain on health care services in Kenya. The increase in the number of cancer cases is attributed to several factors such as population growth, increasing ageing population, increasing rates of obesity, alcoholism and tobacco use, better screening and diagnostic testing as well as lifestyle changes as a result of social economic development. Viral infections with HIV, hepatitis B and human papilloma virus also contribute to the increase in cancer burden.

In addition to the increase in the number of new cases, the deaths from cancer continue to be high as opposed to high income countries largely due to patients presenting with late stage or advanced disease at which point cure is not achievable. Great strides have been made in recent years both the Ministry of Health and private institutions to improve care of cancer patients from enactment of the Cancer Control Act, formation of National Cancer Institute and National Cancer Control Programme as well as investment in radiotherapy machines and cancer centers.

The five pillars of the National Cancer Control Strategy of 2017-2022 encompass early detection and treatment, research, monitoring and evaluation framework that is aimed at curbing the scourge from cancer.

It is against this backdrop that the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) was founded by cancer and blood disorder experts to be a catalyst in cancer and blood disorders research, to help improve patient care and stimulate capacity building for cancer care within the region and provide cancer experts and physicians involved in the treatment of cancer with a forum to discuss ideas for purposes of improving practice and treatment outcomes.

Through research, cancer experts are able to understand best what ails our communities, the prevalent areas and devise counter measures to reduce new cancer incidences and improve survivorship.

Over the years, members of KESHO have been involved in a number of cancer research projects, striking partnerships with leading global cancer organizations including the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), The African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) among others.

Kenya has about 25 cancer specialists attending to the 47,000 cancer patients across the country who mostly practice in the urban areas leaving out a large population in other major areas that experience similar cancer burdens unattended. Other health care professionals come in handy to bridge the gap and having the correct knowledge to diagnose or refer suspected cancer cases for further investigation is vital in reducing the cancer burden in the country and the region.

Sitna Mwanzi, consultant medical oncologist, Aga Khan University Hospital and chair, Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology.

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