Early screening boosts cancer survival, health experts say

Regular cancer screening is associated with higher chances of survival among patients diagnosed at an early stage, according to health experts, who say treatment is more complicated for those diagnosed late.

Kenyans have been urged to seek medical attention promptly to improve treatment outcomes as the country marked Cancer Awareness Month, commemorated every October.

Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital (KUTRRH) Chief Executive Officer Dr Zeinab Gura said increased awareness, timely diagnosis and access to appropriate treatment have proved critical in reducing cancer-related deaths.

Speaking during the commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2026 and the launch of the National Cancer Treatment Guidelines at KUTRRH, she said breast cancer accounts for about 25 per cent of all cases diagnosed among women and remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

Dr Gura said KUTRRH is strengthening breast cancer services through its Comprehensive Breast Care Centre, which provides screening, diagnosis and treatment planning. She disclosed that the hospital is also working towards establishing a dedicated liver centre to improve patient management and generate data to support research and better treatment outcomes.

She called for stronger referral systems, adequate medicines and modern technologies to improve care, and urged county governments and other stakeholders to expand screening and ensure patients receive timely treatment. She said coordinated action was essential in making quality cancer care accessible to all Kenyans.

KUTRRH Consultant Surgeon Dr Abdirahman Hargura warned that liver cancer remains a silent killer, with many patients seeking medical attention only after the disease has advanced.

He said liver cancer is the 16th most common type of cancer in Kenya, with risk factors including excessive alcohol consumption, hepatitis B and C infections, and liver cirrhosis.

Dr Hargura expressed concern that some patients, particularly young men, are presenting with liver masses measuring up to 20 centimetres, pointing to gaps in early diagnosis and access to specialised care.

He said treatment remains inaccessible to many patients and called for a centre of excellence where patients could access screening, diagnosis, specialised treatment and follow-up services.

Cancer survivors Lucy Njeri, Connie and Agnes Ndungu called for increased awareness, better access to treatment and greater support for patients. They cited limited access to healthcare and inadequate knowledge of symptoms and screening as contributors to late diagnosis.

The survivors urged Kenyans to seek treatment locally, saying the country has facilities and specialists capable of managing many cancers. Ms Njeri, who said she has lived with cancer for 10 years, encouraged patients to explore the treatment options available locally, including services covered by the Social Health Authority (SHA).