Members of the National Assembly Health Committee have called for increased investment in cancer research, saying it is key to reducing the growing burden of the disease in the country.
The committee, led by chairperson and Seme MP Dr James Nyikal, made the appeal during a visit to the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), where lawmakers were briefed on the state of cancer in Kenya.
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The team was also taken through the institute's achievements and the implementation of the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2027.
The committee was received by NCI-K chief executive officer Dr Elias Melly, Board of Trustees chairperson Dr Timothy Olweny and members of the institute's management team.
The MPs said research is critical to improving cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and policy formulation.
"Increased investment in research will be critical to generating evidence that informs cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and policy decisions," Nyikal said.
He noted that research remains essential for understanding cancer trends, improving early diagnosis and developing effective interventions tailored to the country's needs.
Nyikal said evidence-based policies would strengthen the fight against cancer and improve patient outcomes.
The MPs also underscored the need for increased funding for research institutions and stronger collaboration between government agencies, universities and healthcare providers to advance cancer prevention, screening and treatment.
The visit formed part of the committee's oversight role in assessing the country's preparedness and capacity to combat the rising cancer burden.
It came against the backdrop of a recent NCI analysis suggesting that up to four in every 10 cancer cases in Kenya could be prevented.
According to the institute, about 47,000 Kenyans are diagnosed with cancer each year.
This means about 18,800 new cases annually could be prevented through measures such as vaccination, screening and reduced exposure to known risk factors, including tobacco and harmful alcohol use.
The analysis was conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
It found that up to 40 per cent of all cancer cases worldwide are linked to preventable causes such as tobacco use, infections including human papillomavirus (HPV), alcohol consumption, high body mass index and air pollution.
Globally, this translated into about 7.1 million new cancer cases in 2022 linked to avoidable risk factors.
The WHO and IARC examined 30 preventable risk factors and found that tobacco accounted for the largest share of preventable cancer cases worldwide, followed by infection-related cancers and alcohol use.
According to the Ministry of Health, about three million Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 use tobacco products, which kill about 9,000 people every year.
Lung, stomach and cervical cancers together account for nearly half of all preventable cancer cases globally.
NCI data shows Kenya records about 5,845 new cervical cancer cases and 3,591 deaths every year.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular screening.
The government has launched the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030 to reduce deaths through vaccination, early screening and timely treatment.
The plan aligns with WHO global targets to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by increasing HPV vaccine coverage and expanding screening and treatment services.
"This is the first global analysis to show how much cancer risk comes from causes we can prevent," said Dr André Ilbawi, WHO team lead for cancer control and one of the study's authors.
"By examining patterns across countries and population groups, we can give governments and individuals clearer guidance to prevent many cancers before they start," he said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
NCI was established under the Cancer Prevention and Control Act (No. 15 of 2012). The agency leads the national fight against cancer by providing leadership, oversight and coordination through comprehensive cancer prevention, control and care strategies.
