By AGGREY OMBOKI
Recent data indicates that Kenya experiences a substantial number of cervical cancer-related deaths, with approximately 3,211 fatalities and 5,236 new cases reported each year.
This means it is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality among Kenyan women, as per the findings of the HPV Information Centre and the Ministry of Health.
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In Embu County, the Kilele Health Association is leading the charge against cervical cancer through the Thamani Yetu Project.
The project’s Executive Director, Ms. Benda Kithaka, explains that “the project aims to enhance cervical cancer prevention and early detection by engaging 40,000 community members in Mbeere, a rural and resource-poor region of Embu County, with information prevention strategies.”
Ms. Kithaka, a key figure in the organization, was recently recognized for her outstanding contributions to cancer prevention and control, winning the prestigious 2024 Rachel Pearline Award.
This award, bestowed by the U.S. National Cancer Institute Center for Global Health (CGH), celebrates her exceptional dedication to eliminating cancer in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) through her groundbreaking initiatives at Kilele Health Association.
Kilele is a Swahili word meaning “peak of the hill or mountain.” Likewise, the organization aims to gurantee members and partners with the information they require to achieve optimum health that includes a life free from cervical cancer.
The Thamani Yetu project, launched in 2022, provides essential services such as human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, cervical cancer screenings, and treatments to the local community.
Additionally, the project addresses myths and misconceptions that hinder women’s access to lifesaving healthcare, aiming to empower them with accurate information and reduce barriers to medical care.
As Ms. Benda notes, “We also aim to vaccinate 1500 girls with HPV vaccine and screen 1000 women with HPV test for early detection as cervical cancer takes 10 years to develop giving hope for prevention.”
Through informative sessions, participants have gained valuable insights into the importance of early detection and regular screenings, with a focus on educating women about cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and advocacy.
The project’s efforts are crucial in the fight against cervical cancer, and its impact is expected to be significant in the years to come.
Dr. Josephine Kibaru Mbae, a breast cancer survivor, stresses the importance of early detection, stating that “By promoting regular screenings and access to healthcare services, we can save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering.”
However, cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge, particularly in Africa, where late diagnosis and limited awareness contribute to high mortality rates.
“Cervical cancer knows no boundaries. It affects women from all walks of life, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status,” says Ms Kithaka, who also participated in the development of the country’s National Cancer Control Strategy of 2017 to 2022.
“Today’s meeting seeks to confront these issues head-on by empowering each one of us with knowledge, advocating for proactive preventive measures, and fostering a sense of community resilience,” she notes.
The Thamani Yetu Project is a crucial step towards addressing the devastating impact of cervical cancer in Kenya.
By empowering women with knowledge and advocating for preventive measures, the project aims to save lives and prevent unnecessary suffering.
As the project continues to grow and expand its reach countrywide, it is clear that the fight against cervical cancer is a collective effort that requires the support and participation of the entire community.
Cervical cancer develops as a result of infection by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
According to Dr Julia Muthua, “cervical cancer develops when the DNA of the human papilloma virus (HPV) integrates with the host cell’s DNA and begins to replicate.
It takes almost 10 to 20 years fully develop into cancer,” Dr Muthua says.
Kenyan health guidelines recommend that women start cervical cancer screening at the age of 21. The frequency of screenings is determined by previous results and individual risk factors, such as HIV status.
Women living with HIV are advised to undergo more frequent screenings due to their higher risk of developing cervical cancer.
To improve access to screening services, integrating cervical cancer screening into broader healthcare programs, including maternal and child health clinics and HIV care programs, is recommended.
Speaking at a January 27, 2025 Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) webinar on cervical cancer detection and treatment, she explained that HPV has about 200 types but types 16 and 17 carry the highest risk for cervical cancer development.
“Types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 75% of cervical cancer cases. Types 6 and 11 cause genital warts,” she said.
Medics will screen for the condition and recommend that most individuals found with a lesion to undergo treatment for it.
“Around 90% of women with a lesion need to take the treatment,” Dr Muthua said.
On her part, Dr Lynda Oluoch, a medical doctor and researcher at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), says the best way to prevent the condition is to administer the cervical cancer vaccine to girls aged between 9 to 14 years.
The cervical cancer vaccine is the prime method of cervical cancer prevention.
It is similar to the HPV virus, causing the body to develop antibodies to fight it when injected. When HPV later attacks the body, the body’s immune system will have a memory of the virus and quickly fight it off,” the medic and researcher said.
Dr Oluoch said the vaccine, which is marketed under the brand Gardasil, usually consists of one dose for individuals aged between 9 and 20 years, with 2 doses recommended for those aged over 20.
It is however recommended at three doses for women and girls with HIV.
As of 2024, World Health Organization data indicates that 59 countries, Kenya included, have so far adopted the single dose vaccine approach.
Following the program’s launch in 2019, vaccination specialist Dr Bernadette Musau has revealed that at least 3.3 million Kenyans have received the HPV-1 vaccine, with an additional 2.3 million receiving the HPV-2 vaccine.
She attributed the numbers to a robust immunization awareness campaign that the Ministry of Health and the county governments had so far carried out.
“We sensitize healthcare workers on immunization, for example on occasions like the World Immunization done in the first week of April,” she said.
In 602, 741 women and girls were vaccinated, a percentage increase compared to 519,391 vaccinated in 2023.
Dr Musau said the government is determined to achieve the 90-70-90 target which seeks to have 905 of girls vaccinated by the age of 15 years, 70% screened with a high performance test by 35 years, and again by 45 years, and 90% of women diagnosed with cervical cancer treated.
She said the vaccinated also included those diagnosed as HIV positive.
“Once diagnosed, HIV positive girls get three doses to prevent the cancer’s development. They get it at the facilities where we carry out active and regular screening,” Dr Musau said.
Dr Oluoch confirmed that KEMRI was currently conducting a study named Kenya Single Dose HPV Efficacy Study (KENSHI) on the Gardasil vaccines and would publish the results once it was completed.
“There are ongoing clinical trials to determine the efficacy of the vaccine, and once it’s completed and peer reviewed, we will publish it,” said Dr Oluoch.
The researcher said that while Gardasil is a preventive vaccine, efforts are underway to develop a therapeutic vaccine, which is “designed to attack infected cells, and clear up the HPV infection from the body”.
She encouraged Kenyan parents to take their eligible daughters for vaccination, and also go for the jab, saying it was their best safeguard against infection, resultant discomfort, medical expenses, stigma and pain that comes with cervical cancer.
Vaccines save lives. It is important for women to get the vaccine early enough to ensure a better health outcome,” she said.
