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Plans have been launched to expand data collection for efficient control of cancer ,as it emerged recently that the disease is killing 72 people daily in Kenya.

This follows the launch of a hub that will advance cancer registration, not only in Kenya but across Africa.

According to Anne Korir, the head of Nairobi Cancer Registry at Kenya Medical Research Institute (Kemri), the need to build capacity for cancer registration in the country is urgent since data on the disease is scattered.

“We, at Kemri, will continue to build capacity across the few cancer registries in Kenya, and package the data so that it can be consumed by all stakeholders,” she said when Kemri hosted experts from the Africa Cancer Registries Network and the Global Initiative for Cancer Registry Development.

Kemri will be one of three collaborating centres working closely with the sub-Saharan Africa hub. The centre will also be responsible for training of cancer registrars.

Main registries

There are two main cancer registries in Kenya; one at Kemri and the other at Moi University Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret. However, according to Korir, there are other small registries in the country.

Dr Patrick Amoth, the acting director-general at the Ministry of Health, said the launch of the centre will strengthen the war against the non-communicable disease. “Registration is vital for effective cancer control and planning,” Amoth said in a statement presented by Dr Simon Kibias, head of the Directorate of Health Standards, Quality Assurance and Regulation.

Amoth added that the centre will provide crucial data on cancer incidents, mortality and survival rates, besides enhancing surveillance, treatment and-term management of the disease.

Kenya is among three Africa countries — including South Africa and Ivory Coast — that have been designated for establishment of collaborating centres for the WHO-affiliated International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Ann Gitungo, an officer at the National Cancer Control Programme in the Ministry of Health, said that access to real time data on the cancer burden in the country will help inform policy and financing interventions.

Sharon Kapambwe, the technical officer for cancer at WHO Africa Region said that reliable data is key to inform investments in cancer diagnosis and treatment.