22/01/2026
Cervical cancer treatment in Kenya faces profound challenges that contribute to high mortality rates, with the disease claiming around 3,600–3,600 lives annually—roughly 9–10 women daily. Despite recent initiatives like the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Action Plan 2026–2030, systemic barriers persist, particularly for invasive cases where most women (about 75%) present at advanced stages (IIB–IV), limiting curative options and survival.
A primary obstacle is **limited infrastructure and resource shortages**. Radiotherapy, essential for locally advanced disease, remains severely restricted. Historically, only one public radiotherapy machine existed at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, causing waits of up to 3 months amid high demand. Even with additions, access is uneven, especially outside urban centers. Only about 30% of public facilities offer comprehensive cancer services, and adaptations to guidelines often occur due to radiotherapy unavailability. Equipment for precancer treatment, like thermal ablation or LEEP machines (over 1,000 distributed 2021–2022), suffers from suboptimal utilization due to lack of sustained mentorship and training. Supply chain issues lead to frequent stockouts of essentials like cryotherapy gas, acetic acid, or HPV test kits, hindering timely "screen-and-treat" approaches. Only 5% of hospitals provide both screening and treatment, with erratic commodities exacerbating gaps.
**Human resource constraints** compound these issues. Shortages of trained oncologists, pathologists, and supportive staff mean fewer than 10% of healthcare workers in surveyed facilities are skilled in cervical cancer management. This results in incomplete treatments: only about one-third of patients receive full curative regimens like chemoradiotherapy, with 33.8% getting suboptimal courses. Over 40% of women are lost to follow-up, often after initial diagnosis.
**Geographical and logistical barriers** disproportionately affect rural and low-income women. Long travel distances (averaging hours to facilities) and transportation costs deter adherence. Many must relocate or sell assets (e.g., livestock or land) to fund treatment, leading to catastrophic expenditure. In remote areas, delayed diagnostics and follow-up are common.
**Financial burdens** remain overwhelming, even with recent social health insurance reforms covering screening and treatment. Out-of-pocket costs for advanced care strain households, pushing families into debt or abandonment. Only a minority complete multimodality therapy due to these expenses.
**Psychosocial and cultural factors** further impede progress. Stigma around cervical cancer—linked to HPV, perceived promiscuity, or fears of side effects—discourages seeking care. Treatment-related anxiety, body image concerns, marital discord, and beliefs (e.g., infertility fears from procedures) reduce uptake. Low awareness, male partner disengagement, and religious/cultural views add layers of resistance.
