A pioneering breast cancer diagnostic project at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu has shown remarkable progress in speeding up early detection and improving access to care for women in western Kenya. The initiative, a joint effort between the hospital and partner foundations, aims to tackle the long-standing problem of diagnostic delays that often lead to late-stage cancer detection.
An interim report covering January to May 2025 reveals major improvements in patient management and diagnostic efficiency. From the moment a patient first contacts the hospital, the average time to receive a core biopsy has dropped to just 0.22 days—less than six hours. All 34 patients enrolled in the study period underwent biopsies within two days, a dramatic shift in a region where similar procedures once took weeks or months to complete.
The turnaround time for immunohistochemistry (IHC) testing—vital for determining cancer subtypes and guiding treatment—was also impressive, averaging under 12 days, significantly faster than the global benchmark of six weeks. These improvements mark a huge leap toward achieving the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative goal of providing a diagnosis within 60 days of first symptoms.
However, despite this progress, the report identified persistent bottlenecks in histopathology, the detailed analysis of biopsy tissue. Results currently take an average of 19 days, and fewer than 10 percent of cases meet the 10-day target. This internal delay has emerged as the main barrier to timely treatment, underscoring the need for stronger laboratory management and increased staffing.
The report also highlights community-level challenges. Many patients still wait months before seeking care, with a median delay of eight months from symptom onset to hospital visit. Factors such as stigma, poverty, and limited awareness remain significant obstacles. Even though most patients are enrolled in the national Social Health Insurance Fund, three out of four report financial hardship as a reason for delayed care, as essential diagnostic services remain only partially covered.
To address these gaps, the project is focusing on hospital reforms, policy advocacy, and community outreach. The goal is to streamline lab operations, expand insurance coverage to include key diagnostics, and raise awareness among rural women about the importance of early detection. Sustained funding will be critical to maintaining affordable diagnostic services and ensuring continued progress in the fight against breast cancer in western Kenya.
