Uterine cancer originates in the lining of the uterus. In Kenya, the disease is increasingly becoming an emerging public health concern due to rising incidence rates and late-stage diagnoses. While traditionally less highlighted than cervical or breast cancer, uterine cancer is becoming more common, driven by rising life expectancy, changes in reproductive health trends, and shifting lifestyles.
According to the National Cancer Registry data estimates, Kenya records approximately 829 new cases annually of uterine cancer and 257 deaths annually. These numbers place uterine cancer among the top twenty cancers affecting women in the country. Data from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), supports these findings, showing a steady increase in gynecologic cancer referrals, with uterine cancer accounting for a growing share.
Clinicians report that most uterine cancer patients are diagnosed between the ages of 50 and 65, often postmenopausal, and commonly present with abnormal uterine bleeding. A retrospective review of cases between 2015 and 2022 showed that more than 60% of patients presented with advanced-stage disease (Stage III or IV), reducing the effectiveness of treatment and worsening prognosis. Studies at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) and Aga Khan University Hospital echo findings at KNH, indicating a demographic shift toward younger women presenting with early symptoms.
Risk Factors
- Delayed childbearing and decreased fertility rates in women
- Limited access to regular gynecological care and screening, especially in rural regions
- Low public awareness about the symptoms of uterine cancer
- A growing prevalence of obesity and metabolic disorders, even among younger women
Diagnosis and Treatment Gaps
Uterine cancer diagnosis in Kenya is hindered by limited diagnostic capacity, particularly outside major urban centers. Many public hospitals lack equipment for transvaginal ultrasound, histopathology, and advanced imaging. At KNH, diagnosis is often delayed due to long waiting times for biopsy results.
Treatment typically involves total abdominal hysterectomy, sometimes followed by radiation or chemotherapy. However, there is a shortage of radiation therapy machines, with only a handful of public facilities offering radiotherapy. This shortage forces many patients to wait months or travel long distances for treatment, worsening their outcomes. With the operationalization of the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012, by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, these challenges are now being addressed through policy making, partnerships, and collaborations.
The Way Forward
Collaboration between the Kenyan government, academic institutions, and international health organizations can drive progress. Leveraging global insights while adapting strategies to Kenya’s health landscape is crucial to reducing uterine cancer mortality. This can be done through;
- Increased public awareness campaigns tailored to Kenyan women.
- Expand diagnostic infrastructure to counties and sub-counties.
- Subsidize treatment through the Social Health Authority (SHA)
- Train more gynecologic oncologists, nurses, and pathologists.
- Integrate uterine cancer education into reproductive health services.
Uterine cancer is a growing threat to women’s health in Kenya. With rising incidence and late diagnoses, the government of Kenya, through the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, is rolling out better screening programs, affordable treatment through the Social Health Authority (SHA), and public awareness.
Addressing this issue requires more than medical treatment as it calls for a comprehensive, system-wide response that includes public education, investment in diagnostic capacity, equitable access to treatment, and health workforce training. With coordinated efforts from the government, healthcare institutions, and international partners, Kenya can shift the narrative from late-stage suffering to early detection and survival.
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