Nairobi Kenya, 04 February 2012 -- Kenya joined the rest of the world in marking this year’s World Cancer Day under the global theme “together it is possible”. The national event held at Kangemi health centre in Nairobi was presided over by the representative of the Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Dr Willis Akhwale, head of Disease Prevention and Control (DPC) programme.

In her written remarks, the Minister noted that cancer has become one of the greatest public health challenges facing the world today. The minister noted that in Kenya cancer is ranked third as a cause death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases contributing to 7% of total mortality annually. She also informed the public that every year, over 28,500 new cases of cancer are diagnosed while 22,100 people die of the disease in the same period. Over 60% of these deaths are premature deaths depriving the country of a healthy workforce. She noted that the leading cancers in women are breast, cervical and throat cancers while those leading in men are oesophagus, prostate and Kaposi’s sarcoma.

The Minister outlined government measures in place to prevent and control cancer such as the National Cancer Control strategy that has a multifaceted approach, the ratification and adaption of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control and the introduction of hepatitis B virus immunization in routine immunizations through the GAVI supported programme. The Minister called upon development partners, health sector stakeholders, civil society and general public to join hands in fighting cancer.

On his part, the WHO Country Representative Dr Abdoulie, represented by Dr Rex Mpazanje passed on the WHO Regional Director’s message. In his written remarks, the WHO Regional Director emphasized the need to collaboratively work together in cancer control as per the theme “it is only by every person, organization, and government individually doing their part that the world will be able to reduce premature deaths from cancer”.

The Regional Director raised concern on the rising burden of cancer in the region posing major public health challenges. “It is projected that by 2030, Africa will bear some 1.6 million new cancer cases with 1.2 million deaths”, said the director. He underscored the need for prevention as the most cost-effective, long-term strategy for the control of cancer. This can be achieved through effective implementation of the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control, by reducing alcohol intake or abstaining from alcohol, adopting healthy diets particularly diets high in fruits and vegetables and engaging in regular physical activity combined with normal body weight.

The Regional Director urged countries to effectively scale up priority interventions as spelled in the Regional cancer control strategy, which have been adopted by countries in the region. WHO congratulated countries like Kenya that have already put strategies in place, and urged the country to expeditiously implement these policies. He urged Governments to implement strategies recommended by WHO for cancer prevention and control; the Brazzaville Declaration, the Moscow Declaration and the Political Declaration of the UN High-level meeting on NCDs so as to drastically reduce cancer burden in the Region.

Finally the Regional Director pledged WHO’s continuous support and collaboration with regional and international development partners to provide technical support to countries.

Others who addressed the congregation included the Nairobi Provincial Director of Medical Services, the District Director of Medical Services, representatives of the Africa Cancer Foundation, Kenya Cancer Association, Kenya Health and Palliative care Association and a breast cancer survivor. Present at the function included senior government officers from both ministries of Health, Non-Governmental Organizations, civil society members, Private Health institutions, the media and the general public.

Screening for various cancers (breast, prostate and cervical) for the general public was offered at the health centre. This was done by doctors and other health professionals drawn from the national referral hospital at no cost. The screening services will go on for one full week.

The day was also regionally commemorated in other parts of the country through public processions, media campaigns and other public awareness activities.

Kenya commemorates World Cancer Day

For further information, please contact:

World Health Organization, Kenya 4th floor ACK Garden House.
1st Ngong Avenue off Bishop Rd.
P.O. BOX 45335, 00100 (GPO)
Nairobi, Kenya.

wrkenya [at] ke.afro.who.int (wrkenya[at]ke[dot]afro[dot]who[dot]int)