Expert warns of rising Oesophageal Cancer threat in Kenya

According to GLOBOCAN 2022 data, Kenya recorded 44,726 new cancer cases and 29,317 deaths, with breast, cervical, prostate, oesophageal, and colorectal cancers being the most common.

Speaking during a high-level panel at the launch of Global Cancer Fund in New York, Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr. Ouma Oluga, noted that cancer is now the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases in Kenya, killing more people than HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined.

Oesophageal cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the tissues of the muscular tube that flows from the throat to the stomach.

There are two main types; Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), which is associated to habits like drinking hot beverages, alcohol and smoking and Adenocarcinoma (AC) which is linked to chronic acid reflux, smoking and obesity.

According to Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) and World Health Organization (WHO), at least 1 in every 25 new cancer cases results from alcohol consumption, with 740 000 new cancer cases in 2020 attributable to alcohol consumption. 

In Kenya, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCIK), the country records about 4,300 new cases, with nearly 4,000 resulting in death, making it deadliest compared to breast cancer and cervical cancer.

Too often, it is only detected at an advanced stage, when treatment is far more difficult thus low survival rates.

Additionally, NCIK notes that the disease is particularly common in certain regions of Kenya, especially among communities where people frequently consume very hot beverages, use tobacco and traditional drinks like “Busaa”, “Chan’gaa and “Mursik”- a fermented milk. 

Dr. Oluga highlighted the country’s commitment to ease the cancer burden under the National Cancer Control Strategy (2023–2027), which has expanded access to HPV vaccination, cancer screening, oncology infrastructure, and affordable treatment through the Social Health Insurance oncology benefits package.