Researchers, university faculty, policy advocates, and students converged at the Alumni Plaza of Mount Kenya University (MKU) on the 19th and 20th of June for the first-ever of its kind cancer implementation science symposium. The symposium brought together faculty and students from Mount Kenya University, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, visiting faculty from universities in the USA (University of Florida, Florida State University, Rutgers University, and University of Missouri), cancer institutes from the USA, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, and John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack Meridian Health), the Kenya the National Cancer Institute and Kilele Health Association. The symposium was graced by MKU’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deogratius Jaganyi, who, in his remarks, challenged the attending to discuss programmes that would translate into cancer prevention and early detection in Kenya. Prof. Jaganyi noted that the prevalence of cancer in Kenya has increased, affecting almost every family and impacting communities negatively. He further noted that MKU has prioritized cancer as one of the areas of research focus by faculty and students.
Implementation science focuses on research that brings evidenced based interventions to practice. It accelerates adoption of solutions since it focuses on testing possible solutions in communities, where they are really to work. The symposium focused on cervical cancer prevention and early detection. Cervical cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed in Kenya but is the leading cause of cancer-associated deaths in Kenya. Cervical cancer is preventable through vaccination of girls (and boys if resources allow) aged between 9 and 14 years old, and through screening women 25-49 years of age for presence of pre-cancerous lesions. These lesions, if present, are treated to prevent them from developing into cancer.
The protective vaccine is against the Human papillomavirus (HPV), which is associated with causing over 95% of all cervical cancer cases. HPV virus infection is mostly resolved by the individual’s immune system without causing any disease. HPV has different strains, with HPV 16 and 18 being the main agents causing cervical cancer. The HPV vaccine targets these strains and assist the immune system to clear future infections and stop the development of cervical cancer.
The first day of the symposium focused on understanding the efforts to prevent cervical cancer and survivorship. Ms Caren Kamau discussed on the uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women living with HIV. She shared that although screening services were available, the uptake was still very low. This could be attributable to several factors such as fear, stigma, low knowledge. Commenting on the overview of cancer in Kenya, Dr Francis Makokha, MKU’s Director of Research & Innovation, and Dr Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute -Kenya, noted that women are disproportionately affected by cancer in Kenya with breast and cervical cancer, constituting about 30% of all cancers diagnosed in 2022. Dr Melly noted that breast cancer was the most frequent cancer diagnosed among Kenyan women, followed by cervical cancer. These two cancers contributed close to 46.1% of cancer cases reported in women in 2022 (breast cancer 25.5%; cervical cancer 20.6%). Other common cancers reported among Kenyan women are oesophageal, colorectal and ovarian cancers. Ms. Benda Kithaka, the Executive Director of Kilele Health Association discussed the efforts of her organisation in cervical cancer prevention. She discussed the work carried out through the “Thamani Yetu” project that is working with the community to improve screening for cervical cancer in Mbeere Sub-County, Embu County. Ms. Kithaka also shared about the role of the African Cervical Health Association (ACHA) and FIND in HPV testing and vaccination in Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa. Participants also listened to presentation on cervical cancer care continuum by Dr Ruth Mbugua9Mama Ngina University College), Dr Samuel Mungai (United States International University – Africa) and Dr Sharon Mweni (Department of Health Services, Machakos County).
Speaking at the same forum, Ms. Jane Kabaki, a legal practitioner in Kenya, share about her diagnosis breast cancer and treatment journey. Ms. Kabaki shared that she was found to have a suspicious lump during a breast screening exercise, which upon further testing confirmed that she had breast cancer. She noted that the communication about her diagnosis was done without preparing her psychologically. She opined that there was a need for some form of the counselling session, once there is suspicion that a patient could be having cancer, to prepare them about the implications of the diagnosis and assure them that cancer is treatable and not a death sentence.
Other speakers on the first day were Dr Judy Mwangi from the School of Social Sciences (MKU), Dr Diana Njuguna from the School of Nursing, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and Dr Rahma Mkuu from the University of Florida, USA. Dr Mwangi shared her views on the need to reduce stigma to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors. Dr Njuguna spoke about available polices for cancer prevention and control in East and Central Africa. Dr Mkuu on the other hand presented on the journey of cervical cancer survivors in rural Kenya. Dr Mkuu noted that her study indicated that most women had financial challenges leading to delays in the commencement of care. She noted that the referral pathway was not clear, with most of the participants being forced to go to different health facilities for each test or treatment thus making cancer treatment very expensive. Her study also noted that most women were being supported by their children either to raise the requisite finances for treatment and accompaniment to hospital on the days of their appointment. Dr Chemtai Mungo from the University of Northern Carolina joined the symposium online and presented her work on screening and treatment of women with precancerous lesions in western Kenya. She emphasised the importance of screen and treat approach in preventing cervical cancer. Mr. Yiochi Shimada, the CEO CA Medlynks, a start-up company in Kenya, discussed the role of his company in HPV testing and sequencing.
On the second day of the symposium, three workshops were conducted. The first workshop on implementation science was led by Dr Ramzi Salloum from the University of Florida. The second workshop was on research methods. Dr Lisa Carter-Bawa of Lombardi Cancer Centre presented on research using mixed methods, while Dr Idethia Harvey, an Associate Professor from the University of Missouri, presented on Qualitative research methods. The third workshop focused on grant writing and was facilitated by Dr Salloum and Dr Jesse Gitaka, the Director of Grants & Development at MKU. They shared tips with participants on the best way of pitching their ideas when applying for grants. Other presenters were Dr Tara Wilfong of Haramaya University (Ethiopia) who presented on cervical cancer control in Ethiopia, Dr Elizabeth Wood, the Director of Global Health at Notre Dame University, USA shared on the importance of capacity building in lor resource settings and Dr Khoa Nguyeni from the School of Pharmacy, The University of Florida presented on harnessing technology for cancer prevention and control.
Group photo of MKU VC and symposium participants
Dr Francis Makokha, Director: Research & Innovation and symposium convenor, welcoming participants to the symposium
Ms. Jane Kabaki of Kabaki & Kabaki Advocates sharing her personal journey as a cancer survivor
Symposium participants and Dr. Elias Melly during a group photo
MKU VC addressing symposium participants during the opening ceremony
Dr. Elias Melly, CEO -National Cancer Institute -Kenya presenting at the symposium.
Dr Diana Njuguna of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology engages participants at the Symposium
Dr Ann Horsburgh an Associate Professor at Florida State University guides session discussions at the symposium
Dr Rahma Mkuu, the Symposium Co-convenor, speaking
Prof Tara Wilfong (Haramaya University, Ethiopia) and Dr Elizabeth Wood (Notre Dame University, USA) follow proceedings
Dr Alfred Owino and Mr. Patrick Ruto from MKU’s School of Public Health follow symposium proceedings
Ms. Benda Kithaka, CEO Kilele Health Association presents at the Symposium
Dr Sharon Mweni from Machakos County contributes to the discussions at the symposium.
Dr Ramzi Salloum Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement with the UF Health Cancer Center facilitation the implementation science workshop at the symposium.
Dr Lisa Carter-Bawa, Director of the Cancer Prevention Precision Control Institute at the Center for Discovery & Innovation at Hackensack Meridian Health speaks at the symposium.
Prof Idethia Harvey of the University of Missouri facilitating a workshop on qualitative methods research at the symposium
Dr Joseph Kariuki, Dean School of Public Health, keenly following proceedings
