Seven in 10 Kenyan women diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages, Kilifi official says

Seven in 10 Kenyan women diagnosed with breast cancer at advanced stages, Kilifi official says - Health workers from Kilifi County during a cancer awareness walk in Mariakani. Seven in 10 Kenyan women diagnosed with breast cancer discover the disease at advanced stages. (Photo: X/Kilifi Department of Health)

A Kilifi health official warns that delayed diagnosis is leaving most Kenyan breast cancer patients seeking treatment at advanced stages, as a local organisation appeals for financial support for affected women.

Seven in 10 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Kenya discover the disease at stage three or four, making treatment more difficult, a Kilifi County health official has said.

Medical social worker George Kombe said delayed diagnosis remained a major concern, urging both women and men to seek screening and medical assessment early to improve their chances of receiving timely treatment.

Kombe spoke during a fundraising event organised by Malindi Hands of Hope to raise money for women battling breast cancer in Malindi and other parts of Kilifi County.

He said more awareness was needed to encourage people to seek medical attention before the disease advances, noting that men should also be aware of the risk of developing breast cancer.

“The earlier you detect the problem, the better the chances of having treatment,” he said.

Kombe said about 6,000 women in Kenya had been diagnosed with breast cancer, adding that reported cases were rising as screening services reached more communities.

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Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast grow abnormally and can spread to other parts of the body. Early detection enables doctors to assess patients promptly and determine the most appropriate treatment.

However, the cost of diagnosis and treatment can place a significant financial burden on patients and their families, particularly when the disease is detected at advanced stages.

Director of Malindi Hands of Hope, Charity Karimi, said the organisation had supported nine women through their treatment journeys since launching its programme last year.

She said the group had identified additional cases during a cancer awareness walk organised in partnership with the Kilifi County health department and Aga Khan’s Beyond Zero initiative.

The campaign aimed to encourage residents to undergo screening and understand the importance of early detection.

Karimi said the additional cases had increased the demand for financial assistance, prompting the organisation to organise the fundraiser to help patients meet their medical bills.

The initiative comes amid growing calls for increased community awareness of cancer symptoms and the importance of seeking medical advice when unusual changes occur.

Health workers advise people to consult qualified medical professionals if they notice unusual breast changes, including lumps, changes in breast shape or size, and alterations to the skin or nipple. Screening recommendations vary depending on a person's age, risk factors and medical history.