• The group said there has been an alarming reduction in cancer screening and delays in diagnosis and treatment in the last two years of Covid-19.
• Cancer among the old accounts for 29 per cent of total cases and 36 per cent of all cancer-related deaths in Africa.
Image: MATHEWS NDANYI
The Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) has called on the government to deal with the cancer burden in the country with the same zeal it dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The group is the national umbrella body of over 40 cancer civil society organizations spread across the country involved in various aspects of cancer control.
"We need immense political will, both private and public multi-sectoral involvement, effective financing and increased support for cancer technologies to ensure that the cancer epidemic in Kenya is addressed," a statement released by the group on Friday read.
The statement was co-signed by the Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO) and the Kenya Hospices and Palliative Care Association (KEHPCA).
The group said there has been an alarming reduction in cancer screening and delays in diagnosis and treatment in the last two years that the Covid-19 pandemic has been in existence.
"This has caused backlogs that in the long run, will mean new patients are likely to be diagnosed with advanced symptoms leading to serious and poor health outcomes."
The organizations said the huge support that had been concentrated on mitigating the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic should urgently be redirected towards cancer control as the country shakes off the pandemic.
Among the efforts include contacting clinical trials and research and support given right from prevention to cancer survivorship.
"We need to act now and salvage what has been left by the Covid-19 pandemic," the group said.
Cancer can develop at any age, but the incidence rises steadily with age.
In Africa, Kenya included, cancer among the old accounts for 29 per cent of total cases and 36 per cent of all cancer-related deaths.
This proportion is however expected to increase in the coming years as the population ages.
Cancer patients were among the most vulnerable group as the Covid-19 ravaged the world leaving a heavy death toll in its trail. Overall, KENCO said one cancer patient dies every fifteen minutes.
KENCO said that managing cancer among the older populations is challenging and requires a multi-disciplinary team which the Government should ensure is available.
"The Government must focus on cancer by ensuring that age-appropriate cancer services are available and that older cancer patients are not neglected for younger ones who may have a better prognosis," the group said.
Tobacco and alcohol use and eating unhealthy diets are key risk factors for cancer.
KENCO, however, raised concern that the government listed some of these products as essential products despite their adverse health, social and economic effects.
The group said the government should instead raise taxes on the products to make them less affordable and reduce the rate of addiction among users.
"Studies have consistently shown that raising taxes on these products increases their prices, making them less affordable thus helping addicts quit and preventing non-users, especially young people, women, and the poor, from ever starting."
According to the group, cancer prevention is better and more affordable than rehabilitation.
Kenya is currently experiencing growing demand for palliative care services as the number of Kenyans with diseases, including cancer increases.
Every hour, six people are diagnosed with cancer and they need palliative care, which includes access to pain relief medicines and psychosocial support.
Currently, Kenya has only three public referral facilities that offer radiotherapy services. These are Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi.
"We urge the Government to put in place mechanisms in all these centres to ensure breakdowns of machines, such as was recently reported at Kenyatta National Hospital for radiotherapy and brachytherapy machines, is avoided in future," KENCO said.
The group also wants the government to ensure that cancer products and medicines are prioritized and their cost subsidized.
"The frequent stock-outs as has been the case in the recent past should be avoided," they said.