•However, the formidable barriers of cultural norms and misinformation significantly impede men from adopting proactive health-seeking behaviours
•This reluctance results in delayed presentations to health facilities, setting the stage for poor prognosis and increased mortality rates
Image: FILE
Among Kenyan men, the burden of prevalent cancers is striking, with prostate cancer leading at 21.9 per cent, followed by colorectal cancer (8.3 per cent) and oesophageal cancer (eight per cent).
What adds a layer of urgency to these statistics is the fact that many of these cases are preventable through timely intervention and lifestyle adjustments.
However, the formidable barriers of cultural norms and misinformation significantly impede men from adopting proactive health-seeking behaviours.
This reluctance results in delayed presentations to health facilities, setting the stage for poor prognosis and increased mortality rates.
Data from the Global Cancer Observatory reveals that in 2018, prostate cancer claimed 2,413 lives, with new cases numbering 3,412.
Moreover, Kenya's incidence and mortality rates exceed global averages, signalling a potential surge in the future due to lifestyle changes, ageing, and population growth.
To confront this health crisis head-on, it is imperative to underscore not only the prevalence of these cancers but also the profound impact of cultural factors on health-seeking behaviour.
By amplifying awareness, we can empower Kenyan men to embrace proactive health behaviours, ensuring that preventable cancers are detected early, and lives are safeguarded against the grasp of these silent threats.
Many men remain uninformed about symptoms such as weak urine flow, back pain, post-urination trickles, and frequent nocturnal urination.
Many of these symptoms indicate advanced disease and the situation gets worse when there is insufficient screening, diagnosis, and financial constraints, amplifying the adverse impact of prostate cancer.
Additionally, late detection not only diminishes survival prospects but also escalates treatment costs.
Dispelling the misconception that screening threatens sexual prowess and masculinity is crucial.
Men must access accurate information for early detection and prevention.
At AAR Hospital, we are dedicated to improving lives through a human-centred approach, prioritising patient needs.
In our endeavour to raise awareness about prostate cancer, we urge Kenyan men to become ambassadors of their health.
Preventing prostate cancer from reaching irreversible stages requires regular screenings and the sharing of credible information.
Given the gravity of prostate cancer as a health concern affecting numerous Kenyan men, collaborative efforts from key stakeholders including civil society, government, the health sector, and the public are imperative.
By championing awareness, promoting regular screenings, and advocating for healthy lifestyles, we can collectively reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality associated with prostate cancer.
It's time to empower individuals with knowledge, break down the barriers that hinder health-seeking behaviours, and ultimately, reshape the narrative around men's health in Kenya.
Through concerted efforts, we can shift the trajectory of preventable cancers, ensuring that lives are not needlessly lost to the grip of diseases that could have been proactively addressed.
The writer is a consultant Urologist at AAR Hospital, Kenya