Prisca Githuka, Cancer Advocate, Founder of Pink Hearts Cancer Support Foundation, shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Every person who agrees to participate in cancer research is placing their trust in a system they may never see.
Who ensures that trust is protected?
Yesterday 16th July 2026, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale officially launched the Institutional Scientific and Ethical Review Committee (ISERC) of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, a significant milestone for cancer research in our country. The event was also graced by the PS Health Dr. Ouma Oluga, OGW, the NCI Kenya board and secretariat led by the CEO Dr. Elias Melly.
I was deeply honored to be present, not only as a cancer survivor and patient advocate, but also as a member of this Committee.
As someone who has lived through cancer, I know that research is about far more than protocols and publications. Behind every study is a person with hopes, fears and a family that wants them to come home safely. Ethical review exists to protect those people. It ensures that research is scientifically sound, that participants understand what they are consenting to, that risks are carefully considered, and that the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of every participant remain at the center of every decision.
As a cancer survivor, research is deeply personal. Every advancement across the cancer continuum from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, palliative care and policy is built on the willingness of people to share their experiences, their data and, often, their hopes for a better future.
That is why ethical review matters.
It ensures that cancer research is not only scientifically rigorous but also protects the rights, dignity and wellbeing of every participant. It asks the difficult questions before research begins and helps ensure that the knowledge we generate is meaningful, responsible and worthy of the trust placed in it.
The establishment of NCI- ISERC is a significant step in strengthening Kenya’s cancer research ecosystem. Strong ethical oversight builds public confidence, promotes high-quality evidence and supports research that can shape better policies, better programmed and better outcomes for everyone affected by cancer.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this work, bringing both the patient perspective and a commitment to ethical, people-centered research.”
Other articles featuring Prisca Githuka on OncoDaily.
