Nairobi: Cancer is one of the chronic non-communicable diseases whose diagnosis, treatment, and management, including palliative care, are costly. Particularly, lung cancer has also been found to be one of the cancers with high mortality rates as compared to other types of cancer.
According to Kenya News Agency, Dr. Lawrence Atundo Murunga, who works with the multinational lung cancer control programme based at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, MTRH, reported that out of 154 patients diagnosed with lung cancer at the facility within the last year, 28 have succumbed to the disease. Although lung cancer is not among the most prevalent cancer types in Kenya, the burden may be underestimated due to misdiagnosis as tuberculosis or other chronic lung conditions. It is ranked 11th nationally but with a fatality rate of about 92%.
Globally, lung cancer cases stood at 2.5 million as per 2022 statistics, with 1.8 million deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Non-communicable Disease Alliance-Kenya, NCDA-Kenya programme officer, Gideon Ayodo, emphasized that lung cancer was impoverishing families due to the high cost of treatment. He suggested the government implement appropriate policies within the Social Health Authority regarding health insurance cover for cancer treatment to alleviate patients' suffering.
Dr. Atundo, during a workshop on initiatives in lung cancer care and the launch of a toolkit to empower patients and caregivers with knowledge and support, highlighted the challenges in diagnosing lung cancer. He stated that it cannot be easily diagnosed at a low-level health facility due to the meticulous and expensive nature of the process, which requires a high-end health facility. The process involves the removal of tissue by a specialist intervention radiologist for a CT scan-guided biopsy.
He further noted the lack of adequate professionals, which adds to the challenge of obtaining samples to test for lung cancer. In the entire western region, there are only two intervention radiologists, making it difficult to handle all suspicious cases of lung cancer promptly. Detecting cancer early can sometimes mean the difference between life and death, as early diagnosis increases the chances of successful treatment, while advanced cancer lowers survival chances and quality of life.
Dr. Atundo also mentioned that the treatment of lung cancer is holistic and not limited to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A significant focus is on palliative care due to the high mortality rates, ensuring patients have a better quality of life as they manage the disease. Kenya Hospice and Palliative Care Association, KEHPCA Executive Director, David Musyoki, stated that the initiative in Lung Cancer Care (ILCC) programme has been creating awareness and building capacity for healthcare workers over the past five years. The programme supports diagnosing, referring, and providing palliative care for cancer patients, as well as building caregiver capacity and forming support groups for psychological support.