Research
The Kiambu County Department of Health Services in collaboration with Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH) has launched a five-day training program aimed at improving the early detection and treatment of esophageal cancer in Kiambu.
Esophageal cancer affects the tube that runs from the throat to the stomach, whose significant risk factors include dietary habits, alcohol consumption and smoking which have been identified as significant contributor to the disease. The symptoms include trouble swallowing, unintentional weight loss, chest pain, worsening indigestion or heartburn and coughing or hoarseness.
The initiative targets Community Health Management Team (CHMT) members, Sub-County Community Health Focal Persons, and Community Health Assistants in the county. The training is part of a broader effort to enhance public awareness, build diagnostic capacity and improve access to timely care for esophageal cancer patients.
This approach is expected to significantly increase survival rates and the likelihood of successful treatment for those affected by the disease. KUTRRH Board Chair, Professor Olive Mugenda highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, which also involves The University of Manchester in the UK.
“The group is ready to start the work in an effort to discover the causes, the prevalence, and the nature of this disease, which is affecting more and more people,” Mugenda said. Teresiah Njoroge, Director of Public Health and Sanitation for Kiambu County, emphasized the importance of community engagement in the fight against esophageal cancer.
Kiambu Health works with KUTTRH Team led by Prof. Olive Mugenda and Director of Public Health and Sanitation for Kiambu County Teresiah Njoroge.
She highlighted the need to establish effective referral mechanisms and ensure access to care to improve patient outcomes. “Community engagement is crucial in the fight against esophageal cancer. We need to establish effective referral mechanisms and ensure access to care to improve patient outcomes,” Njoroge said.
The training program will also be implemented in Kisii, Nakuru, Meru, and Nyeri counties, with the goal of equipping local health workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle the growing threat of esophageal cancer in Kenya. The research project commenced its activities in August 2022 following the receipt of Ksh 446 million from National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Esophageal Cancer Research Grant and is set to run for three years.
The research focuses on studying esophageal cancer in Kenya, establishing the spread of the disease, identifying its causes, and determining the best treatment options for optimal outcomes. According to the International Agency, Esophageal cancer is the fourth most common cancer with a fatality rate of 99.3 percent due to late recognition of symptoms by both patients and health care workers.
It is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in Kenya, particularly in Western and Central Kenya, where the incidence is notably high. Despite its prevalence, early detection remains a challenge due to a lack of public awareness and limited access to diagnostic facilities.
In 2017, Kenya was rated as one that has the highest incidence rates of esophageal cancer in the continent with a rate of 17.6 per 100,000.