Cancer has been with us for years. Today, individuals from different parts of the world are rallying together to commemorate World Cancer Day. This is the 20th time we are doing so, globally. World Cancer Day was first commemorated in 2000 after the World Cancer Summit in Paris, France.
At the very onset, the charter of Paris against cancer was signed to prevent, promote, research and improve patient service. To date, the tenets of this important day in the world’s medical calendar remains.
Cancer deaths
As we soldier on in our fight against cancer, we take cognizance of the 2018 statistics issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on cancer deaths, the global health body indicated that cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths, or one in six deaths. According to WHO, the most common types of cancer among men are lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach and liver while those most common among women are breast, colorectal, lung, cervical and thyroid.
In Kenya, the Globocan Report by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on cancer indicates that approximately 47,887 people get the disease annually while 32,987 die for it. This is an increase from 41,000 cases and 28,000 deaths recorded six years ago.
Globally, the cancer has continued to exert immense pressure as well as physical, emotional and financial burden on individuals, families, communities and health systems.
Considerable progress
Despite the challenges, we have seen considerable progress in the fight against cancer, especially in the last 20 years. Countries with strong health systems have been able to realize higher survival rates, trends that can be linked to early detection, quality treatment and care.
In Kenya, the Government has increased budgetary allocation towards the fight against cancer. We have also seen increased number of health centers where patients can obtain chemotherapy and radiology services across the country. Also in place is the National Cancer Control Strategy (2017-2022) which envisions a Kenyan population with low burden of cancer. Further, on January 30th 2020, Her. Excellency Margaret Kenyatta the First Lady of the Republic of Kenya, launched the cervical cancer advocacy guide which is geared towards empowering and sensitizing communities on cervical prevention. The guide which was developed by the Ministry of Health and partners including National Cancer Control Program, Stop Cervical Cancer Initiative, Office of the First Lady and the Beyond Zero Initiative is aligned to the National Cancer Control Strategy (2017-2022). The guide also outlines major steps for advocacy to eliminate cervical cancer.
In addition to the above- mentioned efforts, the Strategic Framework for the Engagement of the First Lady in the promotion of Healthy Lives and Well-Being of Women, Children and Adolescents (2018-2022) has been instrumental in our efforts towards promoting early screening of breast, cervical & prostate cancers.
The Strategic Framework is the blue print designed to guide Beyond Zero’s efforts in advocating for, and forging effective partnerships towards better health outcomes for all Kenyans.
Since September 2018, we have held five medical safaris in Narok, Kisumu, West Pokot, Nyandarua, and Nairobi counties where we have been able to provide free breast, cervical and prostate cancer screening services to more than 4,000 individuals.
As we commemorate the World Cancer Day, this year’s theme, I am and I will unites us all in our quest to fight against this condition that has claimed many lives.
Let us therefore keep the candle burning, knowing that our efforts are paying off. With concerted efforts, we will slay the cancer dragon!
Angella Langat
Coordinator, Beyond Zero Secretariat.