Cancer on the rise as victims get younger

The Nairobi Cancer Registry is overwhelmed by the increasing cases and the changing face of prostate cancer in the country, its head Dr Ann Korir has said.

Since 2002, cancer reports have been going up every year with prostate cancer emerging as the biggest killer of men.

The disease, which was associated with old men, is now killing those in their early 40s the doctor said.

Statistics from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) show the number of men admitted annually with prostate cancer have increased by 75 per cent from 80 cases in 2004 to 140 cases in 2008.

Between 1998 and 2008, more than 1,000 men with prostate cancer have been admitted to the hospital.

The statistics do not include men attended to at the hospital’s out-patient clinic or those who consult surgeons in private clinics.

“The regrettable death of the late Njenga Karume and revelations by the Medical Services minister Anyang Nyong’o that he successfully fought the cancer is just a tip of the iceberg,” said Dr Korir.

Prominent personalities have gone public about their fight with cancer.

They include Prof Nyong’o and Public Health minister Beth Mugo who had breast cancer. Prof Nyong’o was diagnosed with prostate cancer in July 2010 during a routine health examination.

New guidelines

Dr Willis Akwale, the head of disease control at the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation said the government will develop new guidelines to be used by public hospitals which offer screening and referral services.

There are also plans to equip hospitals so they can start screening for prostate cancer by the end of the year.

“We have funding to establish prostate screening centres at the constituency level. Some patients will be referred to higher level public facilities while those who can afford will visit private hospitals,” he revealed.

Most men admitted to the hospital seek help when the cancer is in stages Three or Four and is likely to spread to other parts of the body.

Less than 30 per cent of those in that stage get cured. Screening in most private clinics cost Sh1,000 per session.

“Some get detected early but have to stay for a long period on the waiting list at KNH. Meanwhile, their condition gets worse.” said Dr Korir.

Though MP Shah and the Aga Khan University hospitals have highly specialised cancer treatment facilities and personnel, she said Kenya needs more equipment.