Kenya grapples with rising Cervical cancer cases, losing nine women daily

Cervical cancer is the world's second deadliest cancer, with 5,226 new cases reported each year in Kenya alone.

On a global scale, the disease claims approximately 10 million lives every year.

The alarming statistics have prompted Kenya's government and health stakeholders to step up their efforts to combat the rising number of cases. 

The Ministry of Health has emphasised the importance of early screening and timely treatment, stating that late diagnosis significantly reduces the chances of survival for affected women.

Kenya recently celebrated World Cervical Cancer Awareness Month with renewed vigour, in line with global efforts to combat cervical cancer. 

During a national event in Nyandarua County, various stakeholders emphasised the critical need for early detection, vaccination, and increased public awareness.

According to Mary Muthoni, Principal Secretary for Public Health and Professional Standards, cervical cancer kills 3,211 women each year. 

She emphasised the government's commitment to improving screening services and promoting vaccination programmes, particularly for vulnerable young girls, stating,

 "We must embrace screening as a critical measure in the fight against cervical cancer. Early detection saves lives."

Dr. Anne Njoroge, Regional Director at Thinkwell, echoed the urgency of the matter, emphasizing that cervical cancer is preventable if detected early. 

She stated that with nine women dying every day, screening and vaccination efforts must be increased to address the rising numbers.

To address this, the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide vaccination campaign aimed at 14-year-old schoolgirls, with the goal of reducing future cases of cervical cancer. 

"We are rolling out an aggressive vaccination program to ensure our young girls are protected against cervical cancer," said Muthoni, reinforcing the need for proactive measures.

Dr. Joyce Nato, the head of Noncommunicable Conditions at WHO Kenya, reaffirmed that cervical cancer can be eradicated, citing success stories from European countries where vaccination and screening programmes have significantly reduced cases. 

"This is the one type of cancer that can be eliminated. We have seen it happen in some European nations, and Kenya can achieve the same with a committed strategy," she explained.

Cancer survivors and advocates are also playing a crucial role in raising awareness and pushing for better healthcare support. 

Susan Macharia, a breast cancer survivor turned screening advocate, called on the government to allocate more resources to the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF) to ease the financial burden on cancer patients and their families. 

"The cost of cancer treatment is not just a burden on families but on the entire community. We need a well-structured social health insurance system to support those affected," she emphasized.

Community health promoters have been tasked with encouraging women, particularly those in rural areas, to use the free screening services now available at government facilities. 

Local leaders, including the county commissioner and deputy governor, urged residents to enrol in Social Health Insurance to ensure affordable and accessible cancer care.