The World Health Organisation (WHO) has ranked Kenya as Africa's leader in breast cancer control, with the highest overall capacity score on the continent, in a report that assessed breast cancer control capacity in the WHO African region.
Data from the global health agency's assessment shows Kenya scored 66.7 percent, positioning the country as a model for cancer control in Africa and reflecting the country's strong performance in leadership and governance, health workforce, health information systems, and service delivery.
"The regional average for overall breast cancer control capacity was 37.2 percent, with scores ranging from 3.3 percent to 66.7 percent. The top three countries in the region with scores of 60 percent or above were Kenya, Nigeria, and Algeria, while 21 out of 42 countries scored below the regional average," said WHO.
A key factor in Kenya's success is its strong leadership and governance in cancer control, with a score of 83.9 percent which is well above the regional average of 40.5 percent.
The country's National Cancer Control Strategy (2021-2026) serves as a comprehensive framework for cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and palliative care. The National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) plays a key role in coordinating national efforts and ensuring that policies are translated into actionable results.
International partnerships with organisations such as the WHO, the American Cancer Society, and the Roche Foundation have further strengthened Kenya's capacity to fight breast cancer.
The country has made significant progress in breast cancer screening and early diagnosis and is one of the few African countries, along with Algeria, Mozambique, and Rwanda, to have an organised screening programme.
In terms of service delivery, Kenya is one of the best-equipped countries for cancer care. It has at least ten dedicated cancer centres, making it one of the most advanced countries in Africa in terms of cancer care infrastructure.
“In addition, Kenya and Algeria are the only two African countries with access to PET scans, a vital tool for advanced cancer diagnosis. Kenya also has more than 110 CT scanners, the second highest number in Africa after Algeria,” the report read.
While the health workforce is a challenge across Africa, Kenya is making remarkable progress. It is one of four African countries, along with Algeria, Ethiopia, and Nigeria to have at least 100 pathologists, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing oncology expertise.
Although the regional average for health workforce capacity is 17.6 percent, Kenya exceeds 50 percent in this critical area.
Kenya also ranks high in health information systems (HIS), with a score of 80 percent, almost double the regional average of 40.9 percent. A well-structured health information system facilitates effective data collection and analysis, enabling healthcare providers and policymakers to make informed decisions about cancer care and resource allocation.
Despite these successes, challenges remain. The high cost of cancer care remains a significant barrier, even with expanded coverage under the Social Health Authority (SHA).
According to the Ministry of Health, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Kenya, accounting for 23 percent of all cases, with 7,243 new diagnoses each year.
