Cancer is the third most common cause of death in Kenya, after infectious diseases and heart conditions and accounts for 7% of all deaths in the country. Due to the lack of a national registry, it's estimated that there are between 22,000 and 41,000 new cancer cases each year.
Patients seeking treatment in both private and public hospitals in sub Saharan Africa face significant barriers that result in advanced disease, misdiagnosis, interrupted treatment, stigma and fear.
Our study - conducted among doctors and cancer support and advocacy groups in Kenya - identified the biggest barriers that hinder access to cancer testing and treatment in Kenya.
These include lack of affordable cancer treatment, lower drug costs, better equipped facilities and specialist doctors. The distance to hospitals and favourable national cancer policies are also major factors.