NAIROBI, Kenya Mar 24 – Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The agency estimates that cancer is the third leading cause of death after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases.
Nairobi West Hospital Oncologist Dr. Solomon Ngui Mutua attributes the troubling statistics to cancer being “asymptomatic, poor health-seeking behaviors of Kenyans and the cost associated with cancer”.
“To beat cancer we should all know our bodies and Kenyans should have good health-seeking behavior,” he said.
Dr. Mutua who is the Nairobi West Hospital Head of the Department of cancer notes that screening for early detection is critical in suppressing the mortalities associated with the disease.
“It is something that we should embrace as it has shown through science that it does help to save lives,” he said.
Cancer screening provides an opportunity for the detection of disease in asymptomatic individuals, hence improving treatment outcomes and in turn reducing morbidity and costs of treatment.
Unfortunately according to Dr. Mutua, screening specifically only applies for only five types of cancer namely breast, cervix, prostate, colon, and lung.
The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI – Kenya) estimates that cancers of the cervix, breast, colorectum, prostrate, and esophageal are hence the major contributors to cancer morbidity and mortality in Kenya.
The Nairobi West Hospital is in fact among the top facilities that offer comprehensive cancer treatment in the country.
The hospital oncology center features separate sections for medical, surgical, radiation, and palliative oncology.
The medical oncology center offers patients a diverse range of cancer care, ranging from home-based solutions to complex chemotherapy procedures.
In surgical oncology, the hospital performs various surgeries for cancer and also offers advanced organ preservation surgeries.
The radiation oncology section features state-of-the-art radiation therapy equipment that delivers high-precision treatment with minimal side effects.
-Cancer cost-
Despite Kenya’s high burden of the disease, Dr. Mutua has lauded the government for making cancer treatment affordable, especially for underprivileged patients.
“The government is doing its best on matters of cancer from decentralizing cancer care and investing in the training personnel,” he said.
He, however, noted that the government can escalate its fight against cancer by “fully owning it’ by doing more on the cost aspect.
“If the government can foot the entire bill of cancer treatment from diagnosis to investigation to treatment. The battle against cancer should be fully owned by the government for it to have a great public health impact,” he said.
Dr. Mutua noted that the cost of treating cancer in Kenya varies widely depending on several factors including the type and stage of cancer adding that the overall cost at both public and private hospitals is still high.
In Kenya, the government has subsidized the cost of cancer treatment with the National Hospital and Insurance Fund (NHIF) footing some of the bills.
The National Cancer Control Program (NCCP) has been rooting for increased investment in cancer care and prevention including the provision of adequate funding, training, and resources for cancer treatment and research.
The agency has also been very instrumental in emphasizing the importance of public education and awareness campaigns to promote the early detection and prevention of cancer.
-Cancer Survivor-
Whereas the WHO has linked cancer as a leading cause of premature death in the country, there are many survivors who have overcome the disease.
Sydney Chaonya, the Executive Director for Hope for cancer kids is one such living testimony who braved and fought off cancer of post-nasal space cancer – rare cancer that affects the nasal cavity (the space behind your nose) and the sinuses (small air-filled cavities inside your nose, cheekbones, and forehead).
Chaonya’s cancer journey began in February 2004 at a time he was transitioning from High School to University.
He was cleared of the disease after ten months of robust treatment that involved radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
“Initial symptoms were mild headaches at the back of the head, nose bleeding, and then flu symptoms just like a normal cold. I was on self-medication but with time the symptoms started getting worse. The headaches were more severe and the nose bleeding was more frequent and the flu symptoms were more aggressive,” he said.
The early diagnosis came in handy for Chaonya as cancer had only been inside him for six months at the time of its detection.
“Cancer is treatable if it is caught early and you do have access to treatment,” he said.
He however admits that the process of healing is “isolating” and isolates one “from family, friends, and the whole community. It is also a very mental disease because even the doctor does not know the pain you are going through, he only reads it in the books but he has never experienced it”.
Chaonya who is now a proud cancer survivor is giving back to society by using his charitable organization to raise funds to support kids from low-income backgrounds who cannot afford cancer treatment.
The organization is currently supporting over 200 children per month to get access to treatment through NHIF.
