The Inequity of Cancer Treatment Services in Kenya

In Kenya, cancer stands as the third leading cause of death, following infectious diseases and cardiovascular conditions. The period from 2012 to 2018 witnessed an alarming surge of nearly 16% in annual cancer mortality (Pankaj et al. in Cancer on the Global Stage: Incidence and Cancer-Related Mortality in Kenya. WHO Region, Africa The ASCO Post 2021 [1]). This increase is attributed to factors such as physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary patterns, overweight/obesity, HIV/AIDS, detrimental alcohol consumption, substance abuse, and environmental shifts. Prevalent cancer types in Kenya encompass cervical, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancers, along with others like head and neck, colon and rectum, stomach, liver, and soft tissue sarcomas. The grim reality unfolds particularly for over 70% of urban Kenyans residing in informal settlements, where health outcomes are dire. Morbidity and mortality rates in these areas surpass those in other parts of the country, aggravated by inadequate sector and service management, extensive inefficiencies, and corruption. The cancer scenario in rural areas compounds health challenges, marked by disparities such as sparse health facility distribution and financial constraints hindering access to private healthcare (Kabia et al. in Int J Equity Health 18:98, 2019 [2]; Makau-Barasa et al. in Health Res Policy Sys 18:2, 2020 [3]). Ultimately, several demand side and supply side barriers exacerbate inequitable Access, Proximity, and Availability (APA) to cancer diagnosis and treatment. This chapter delves into the disparities associated with cancer and provides policy recommendations for addressing them.