Kenyan Network of Cancer Organizations (KENCO) shared on LinkedIn:
“Beyond the screening tent: Who walks with the patient after screening?
Screening is important. But what happens after screening is just as critical.
Yesterday, KENCO joined Nation Media Group (NMG) and Savannah Global Health Institute (SGHI) for an important national conversation themed ‘Beyond the Screening Tent: The Real Journey Through Breast Cancer Care in Kenya.’
Speaking during the discussion, Phoebe Ongadi, Executive Director, KENCO, highlighted a critical challenge facing cancer patients in Kenya: the gap between screening, timely diagnosis, and access to treatment.
For many patients, a positive screening result marks the beginning of another difficult journey. Weak referral systems, delayed diagnostic services, financial constraints, and fragmented care pathways can leave patients without the support they need to access timely treatment.
So, what is the solution? Patient navigation.
Patient navigation provides a coordinated approach to guiding patients through the healthcare system, connecting them to diagnostic services, treatment, financial support options, and psychosocial care.
At KENCO, we are advocating for stronger patient navigation systems that ensure:
- Every abnormal screening result is followed up promptly.
- Patients are supported to access timely and affordable diagnostic services.
- Referral systems connect patients effectively to appropriate treatment facilities.
- Identify and address financial and administrative barriers early.
- Patients receive continuous support from screening through treatment and survivorship.
We must begin measuring success beyond the number of people screened. The real measure is how many patients move successfully from screening to diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care.
We appreciate NMG, SGHI, the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, fellow panellists, and patient advocates for advancing this important conversation. Special appreciation goes to Esther Wanjiku for courageously sharing her lived experience.
Our call to action is clear: Let us strengthen patient navigation and build a cancer care system where no patient is lost between screening and treatment.
Because early detection must lead to early action.”
You can also read: Cancer Screening by Age: What Tests Do You Need and When?
