National Cancer Institute Kenya

Category: BREAST CANCER

  • NCI-K and Partners Host Free Cancer Screening and Cancer Warrior Celebration in Eldoret City

    NCI-K and Partners Host Free Cancer Screening and Cancer Warrior Celebration in Eldoret City

    1st November 2025 – Eldoret City

    Today, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) together with partners including Alexandria Cancer Centre, Eldoret Oncology Associates, Uhai Life Sciences, and Catholic University of East Africa participated in a free cancer screening exercise in Eldoret  City, as well as celebrating cancer warriors, an activity organized by The Solace Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization championing cancer prevention, early detection, and comprehensive support for every person affected by cancer to access dignified care in Kenya. This is part of the continued efforts by NCI-K to increase cancer education, awareness, and screening nationwide in commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Screening services offered included breast, cervical, and prostate cancer.

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    Notable people present included the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Gladys Boss Shollei, and Uasin Gishu County leadership represented by County Executive Committee member, Mrs Joyce Sang.

    Advocating for cancer prevention, Hon. Shollei mentioned the continued efforts to expedite the formulation of regulations to remove the banned hazardous herbicides from Kenyan markets, urging members of the National Assembly to work to protect the Kenyan population from these cancer-causing products. “These products have been banned in foreign countries, but still find market access in Kenya.” According to her, Kirinyaga County has the highest prevalence of cancer, and the highest county using the same products. The National Assembly leader encouraged members of the public to continue registering with the Social Health Authority to enjoy the benefits of Universal Health Coverage.

    Cancer champions and advocates in the walk.

    Dr. Rebecca Omollo, the Founder of The Solace Cancer Foundation, and a breast cancer survivor, thanked the National Cancer Institute of Kenya for the efforts it is putting in combating the cancer menace in the country, specifically, she thanked the CEO, Dr. Elias Melly, for leading in the cancer advocacy, policy formulation, and support to County governments.

    The institute’s continued partnership efforts are in line with our mission and objectives of eradicating conditions that cause and aggravate the spread of cancer, as well as working to ensure the implementation of the five pillars in our National Cancer strategic plan, 2024-2027. The nationwide campaign aims to encourage members of the public to prioritize their health by embracing the free screening initiatives launched by the national government.

  • NCI-K Leads Western Region Chapter in National Breast Cancer Mobilization

    NCI-K Leads Western Region Chapter in National Breast Cancer Mobilization

    The fight against breast cancer is gaining momentum in Western Kenya Region as the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K) intensifies its nationwide campaign on breast cancer awareness and screening as we commemorate Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October). The spotlight now shines on the Western Region Chapter, an initiative that unites public and private partners to deliver free cancer awareness, education, and screening services directly to the people.

    With breast cancer remaining one of Kenya’s leading causes of cancer-related deaths, early detection has proven to be the most effective weapon in saving lives. Cognizant of this fact, NCI-K has coordinated a strong coalition to lead the campaign in the region.

    NCI-K has teamed up with the Busia County Government, Global Health Innovations, and GoodHope Hospitals and Clinic. With this kind of teamwork, we are ensuring that breast cancer awareness, education, and screening reach women where they live and work.

    One of the major concerns in the region is stigma and myths about cancer; to address this, the institute, through our childhood cancers champion, Mercy Osoro, is dispelling these myths, misconceptions, and stigma by sharing her experiences. Mercy is a 20-year-old cancer survivor working at the Directorate of Cancer Prevention and Control.

    #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth #BreastCancer #PinkOctober #NCIKENYA

  • Why Kenyans detect breast cancer when it’s already advanced, and how we can flip the script

    Why Kenyans detect breast cancer when it’s already advanced, and how we can flip the script

    Why Kenyan Women Still Present Late

    “The first thing I thought was, I’m going to die.”  Evalyn Allela, breast cancer survivor. When Evalyn Allela first noticed a lump in her breast, the world stopped. Like many Kenyan women, her first reaction wasn’t to seek medical advice; it was fear. “For the longest time, we knew cancer was a killer disease,” she recalls. That fear is a reflection of a painful national truth. According to Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), “60 -70% of breast cancers in this country are diagnosed at stage 3 and 4 “. Dr. Melly made the remarks during an interview with Citizen TV Kenya, highlighting an urgent reality that most breast cancer cases in Kenya are caught when there are limited treatment options. Behind every late diagnosis is a mix of silence, stigma, misinformation, and access barriers that keep too many women from early screening and timely care.

    Breast cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers among women in Kenya, yet early detection rates remain depressingly low. The reasons are complicated and deeply social. Many women delay screenings out of fear of what they might find. Others struggle with limited access to diagnostic services, especially in rural counties. Misinformation, stemming from myths about causes and misconceptions about treatment, continues to discourage open discussion. “We still have women coming when it’s too late to save the breast,” notes Dr. Melly. “We must focus on community education and encourage early screening if we are to change these numbers.” The result is a silent epidemic that persists not only in hospitals but also in homes, workplaces, and social spaces, where discussing cancer remains a taboo topic.

    Flipping the script: From Fear to Fight

    For Evalyn, her turning point came when she chose to speak openly about her experience. “At first, I was terrified,” she admits. “But once I shared my story, I realized so many women were going through the same fear in silence.” Her courage reflects what Kenya urgently needs: a national culture that treats conversations about cancer not with dread, but with openness and strength. Every conversation started, every myth corrected, and every story shared brings the country closer to early detection and survival.

    At NCI-K, the message is clear: awareness must move beyond pink ribbons and hashtags. Real change happens when communities feel empowered to talk, screen, and support one another before it’s too late.

    Building a New Culture of Early Screening

    Dr. Melly emphasizes that prevention and early diagnosis remain the most powerful tools against cancer. “We know that the earlier breast cancer is detected, the better the chances of survival. But that begins with awareness, regular check-ups, and access to screening even at the community level.”

    NCI-K continues to collaborate with County Governments, health professionals, and community health promoters to enhance cancer awareness and screening outreach nationwide. But the most important change begins with us. Men and women choosing to prioritize their health, families encouraging open conversations, and communities creating safe spaces for cancer education.

    Now that we know better, we do better

    Evalyn’s story is not only a survival story but also an advocacy. “I want women to know that early detection saved my life,” she says. “Cancer is not a death sentence. The fear is worse than the disease.”

    As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, NCI-K calls on all Kenyans to take one small but powerful step: talk about it, ask questions, and encourage a screening because changing the conversation about cancer might be the key to saving more lives.