Kenya records 35,867 new cancer cases in latest GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates

KENYA — Kenya records an estimated 35,867 new cancer cases every year, while 22,888 people die annually from the disease, according to the latest Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2024 estimates published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

The report also estimates that 76,165 people are living with cancer within five years of diagnosis.

Although the 2024 estimates are lower than those reported in GLOBOCAN 2022 for new cases, deaths, and five-year prevalence, cancer continues to place a heavy burden on Kenya’s healthcare system.

The findings underscore the need for continued investment in prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, research, and palliative care.

Breast cancer remains the country’s most commonly diagnosed cancer, accounting for 5,822 new cases, or 16.2% of all cancers.

It is followed by cervical cancer with 4,294 cases (12.0%), prostate cancer with 3,601 cases (10.0%), oesophageal cancer with 2,532 cases (7.1%), and colorectal cancer with 2,525 cases (7.0%).

Cancer deaths remain a major concern

Breast cancer is also the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Kenya, claiming 2,882 lives each year.

Cervical cancer follows with 2,606 deaths, while oesophageal cancer accounts for 2,353 deaths.

Prostate cancer causes 2,199 deaths annually, and colorectal cancer claims 1,481 lives, highlighting the continued impact of both common and difficult-to-detect cancers.

Among men, prostate cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy, representing 25.9% of all male cancer cases.

Oesophageal, colorectal, stomach, and leukaemia cancers complete the top five.

For women, breast cancer remains the leading diagnosis, accounting for 26.5% of female cancers, followed by cervical, colorectal, oesophageal and ovarian cancers.

NCI-K strengthens national cancer control efforts

The findings support ongoing efforts by the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), which is implementing the National Cancer Control Strategy 2023–2027.

The strategy focuses on five key areas: cancer prevention and early detection; diagnosis, treatment and palliative care; governance and financing; cancer registration, surveillance and research; and monitoring, evaluation, and strategic information.

The institute says expanding screening programmes, improving timely diagnosis and ensuring equitable access to treatment remain key priorities.

Kenya has expanded cancer services in recent years by strengthening county cancer programmes, improving surveillance systems and building partnerships to improve patient care.

However, the latest estimates show that sustained investment is still needed to meet the country’s growing cancer care demands.

Parliament pledges greater support

The release of the GLOBOCAN 2024 figures comes as the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Health recently pledged to push for increased funding for the National Cancer Institute of Kenya.

During an oversight visit, lawmakers said additional resources would help strengthen prevention programmes, early detection, treatment, research and palliative care as the country responds to its rising cancer burden.

NCI-K Chief Executive Officer Dr. Elias Melly noted that Kenya records roughly 125 new cancer diagnoses and about 80 cancer deaths every day, reinforcing the urgency of scaling up cancer services nationwide.