Uterine cancer is rapidly emerging as a significant public health concern in Kenya, with rising incidence rates and a growing number of late-stage diagnoses. Once overshadowed by more prominent cancers like cervical and breast cancer, it is now demanding urgent attention due to its increasing burden on women’s health.
Kenya records approximately 829 new cases of uterine cancer and 257 deaths each year, placing it among the top 20 cancers affecting women. Health experts attribute this rise to several intersecting factors, including longer life expectancy, changing reproductive patterns such as delayed childbearing and declining fertility, and increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related conditions like obesity and metabolic disorders.
Access to regular gynecological screening remains limited, especially in rural areas, contributing significantly to delayed diagnoses. Many women are unaware of the early, often subtle, symptoms of uterine cancer such as abnormal uterine bleeding leading them to seek medical attention only when the disease has progressed to advanced stages. A review of cases in major referral hospitals revealed that more than 60 percent of uterine cancer patients are diagnosed at Stage III or IV, when treatment options are more limited and less effective.
Most cases occur in postmenopausal women aged between 50 and 65. However, an alarming trend is emerging as younger women increasingly present with symptoms, raising concerns about changing risk profiles. Data from leading hospitals suggest that this demographic shift could be due to lifestyle changes, including sedentary behavior and poor dietary habits leading to obesity.
Diagnostic limitations further complicate early detection. Many public hospitals lack essential equipment such as transvaginal ultrasound, histopathology services, and advanced imaging tools. In urban centers, patients often face long waiting times for biopsy results, delaying timely intervention.
Treatment typically involves a total abdominal hysterectomy, sometimes followed by chemotherapy or radiation. However, there is a severe shortage of radiation therapy machines in public facilities, which forces many patients to wait for extended periods or travel long distances to access care. These delays can be life-threatening and contribute to Kenya’s high cancer mortality rates.
To address the growing challenge, experts recommend raising public awareness about the symptoms and risk factors of uterine cancer. Strengthening diagnostic capabilities at county and sub-county levels, increasing the number of trained specialists, and integrating uterine cancer education into routine reproductive health services are also seen as critical steps. Expanding access to affordable treatment through health insurance schemes could significantly ease the financial burden and improve outcomes for affected women across the country.
