Kenya grapples with severe shortage of specialists amid rising women's cancer burden
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. PHOTO|SHUTTERSTOCK
What you need to know:
- As cervical cancer becomes the leading cause of cancer deaths, experts warn that the lack of gynaecological oncologists is forcing primary caregivers to shoulder the burden.
Kenya is facing a critical shortage of gynaecological oncologists, with fewer than 50 specialists available to handle the country's rising burden of women’s cancers, experts have warned.
Dr Anisa Mburu, a gynaecological oncologist at Aga Khan Hospital in Mombasa, stated that this shortage has forced the country to rely heavily on primary healthcare providers to manage gynaecological cancers.
“We are falling short. We have fewer than 50 specialists in the country, but many are in intensive study periods of up to 12 years. That is why we are working closely with primary health care providers,” she said during the World Gynaecological Oncology Day commemoration in Mombasa.
Dr. Mburu noted that cervical cancer, the most common cancer among women in Kenya, is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country.
“Kenya records about 5,800 new cervical cancer cases annually, resulting in 3,800 deaths. In Mombasa, eight out of 10 women I see in my clinic present with cervical cancer,” she said.
She further explained that Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers can be prevented through vaccination for girls aged nine to 15 years. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. The World Health Organisation recommends a single dose of the HPV vaccine, which also prevents certain throat and nasal cancers. Women aged 25 years and above are advised to undergo an HPV DNA test every five years for early detection.
Jennifer Muema, a teacher and mother of three, shared her journey after being diagnosed with stage 2B cervical cancer in 2014 at Aga Khan Hospital, Mombasa.
“I was treated immediately because it was detected early. After three years, I had a recurrence and underwent more treatment, which was harsh and costly. But early detection saved my life. My advice is: listen to your body and get screened,” she said.
Despite advances in treatment and prevention, stigma and misinformation remain major obstacles.
“Many women associate cervical cancer with sexually transmitted infections, making them afraid to seek help. The tragedy is that early stages have no symptoms, so by the time many present to the hospital, they are at stage three or four,” Dr Anisa noted.
Financial barriers also also prevent many women from accessing screening and treatment.
To address this, the Aga Khan Hospital, through an initiative called “The East African Comprehensive Cancer Project” and with support from partners, has been running community outreach programmes using mobile clinics in partnership with county governments. In September alone, these efforts led to the vaccination of more than 25,000 girls aged 10 to 14 against HPV.
Experts maintain that with increased awareness, prevention and early detection, women’s cancers need not be a death sentence.
