It aims to review the current state of the cancer response.
Following the Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2012 and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage, the two-day summit that starts on Thursday aims to review the current status of the cancer response.
The stakeholders in the health sector also hope to showcase innovations, technologies, and best practices in the fight against cancer and the importance of multi-sectoral strategies among stakeholders.
The summit also aims to define a framework for results accountability and commit to a shared action plan for cancer prevention and control in Kenya.
The event's main themes are anticipated to be cancer and risk factors, the financial burden of cancer on households, and private sector and public sector partnerships to advance the Vision 2030 agenda.
The five most common cancers in the nation are non-Hodgkins lymphoma, breast, cervical, prostate, esophagus, and those combined. These five cancers make up nearly half (48%) of the nation's cancer burden, according to Alfred Karagu, CEO of the National Cancer Institute.
Notably, nearly a quarter (23%) of all cancer-related deaths in the nation are caused by cervical and breast cancers. Since 70% of cancer cases are discovered in advanced stages, when a cure is impossible, two out of every three people diagnosed with the disease will pass away.
Less than 25% of facilities can offer screening, early diagnosis, and treatment services, according to Karagu. Moreover, despite the high burden, only about 23% of Kenyans have access to cancer management services.
