Cancer survivors inspire hope amid emotional, financial toll

Cancer survivors, families and caregivers gather at Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi to celebrate resilience and advocate for better cancer care and support. [Benard Orwongo Standard]

At exactly 1.17 pm, Derick Omondi walks into a hall filled with cancer survivors gathered to mark National Cancer Survivors Day.

The room is full of conversations, laughter and stories of hope. In turn, survivors share their journey, offering encouragement to those still battling the disease. 

But among nearly 200 participants, Omondi is the only man in attendance. 

The 31-year-old says many men struggle to openly talk about cancer.

Cancer survivors, families and caregivers gather at Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi to celebrate resilience and advocate for better cancer care and support. [Benard Orwongo Standard]

“Men want to appear strong. Many associate cancer with curses, family problems or weakness. There is also the fundraising that comes with treatment, and some men feel uncomfortable asking for help,” he says. 

For Omondi, the journey began with what appeared to be a harmless burn on his left foot.

At the time, he had just graduated with a degree in Information Technology from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and was looking forward to building his career. 

At first, the wound was painless. But gradually, his leg became swollen; he could not wear shoes, and the pain was becoming unbearable. 

Doctors recommended further tests, including a biopsy, and in March 2022, he was found to have sarcoma (cancer of soft tissue).

“When I was told it was cancer, the first thing that came to mind was how I would afford treatment. Everyone knows cancer treatment is expensive,” he recalls. 

Omondi was put on treatment. He underwent 10 sessions of radiotherapy, which were covered by the then National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), followed by six cycles of chemotherapy.

After completing treatment, a PET scan revealed the cancer had spread from his leg to his left lung.

“I had to start another round of treatment with stronger chemotherapy drugs. It was expensive, physically draining and emotionally exhausting,” says Omondi.
Side effects of treatment were severe, ranging from losing his hair, struggling to walk and at times breathing difficulties, as the cancer was in the lungs.

Although treatment helped control the cancer in his leg and lung, it further resurfaced in his neck, with further recurrence in his left knee. 

Recurrence of cancer was devastating. Beyond physical pain, the disease came with emotional and mental burden.

At one point, he was diagnosed with depressive disorder.

“When you start cancer treatment, anxiety becomes part of your life. You begin to feel like the disease will never end. Just when life starts getting better, another recurrence comes and takes you back to the beginning,” he says. 

The disease, he says, also comes with a financial burden. 

Throughout the journey, he has relied heavily on friends who have supported him with hospital bills, transport and food.

“When I got diagnosed with cancer, I asked myself how I would afford treatment. I knew it was a death spell - cancer treatment is expensive,” he says. 

Currently, Omondi is undergoing immunotherapy, a treatment that helps strengthen the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. 

He receives intravenous medication every week and also undergoes hydrotherapy and pain management sessions to help him cope physically and emotionally.

“On average, I spend between Sh50,000 and Sh100,000 every month. Some of these services are not covered by SHA,” he says.

Despite the challenges, Omondi remains determined to keep fighting.

“I am thankful to be alive today. I have learnt not to worry about what might happen tomorrow. I simply follow my doctors’ advice and focus on living one day at a time.” 

Despite years of treatment, multiple recurrences and battles with anxiety and depression, he continues to fight.

As Kenya joined the rest of the world in marking National Cancer Survivors Day, Omondi’s story reflects both the harsh realities of living with cancer and the resilience required to keep going.

Cancer survivors, families and caregivers gather at Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi to celebrate resilience and advocate for better cancer care and support. [Benard Orwongo Standard]

Dr Catherine Nyongesa, a radiation oncologist, joined cancer survivors in marking Cancer Survivors Day, encouraging patients currently undergoing treatment not to lose hope, noting that many people have completed treatment and gone on to live healthy lives.

“Seeing cancer survivors is proof that a person can have cancer and survive,” said Dr Nyongesa, Director of Medical Services at KNH.

According to the oncologist, Kenya records about 50,000 new cancer cases every year. 

Unfortunately, nearly 70 per cent of patients die from the disease, largely due to late diagnosis and delayed treatment.

“Our survival rate is about 30 per cent. Out of every 10 new cancer patients we see, only three survive, while seven may succumb because they present late and are diagnosed at advanced stages,” she said. “This is unlike developed countries, where about 70 per cent survive and only 30 per cent die.”

During the celebrations, survivors and health experts used the occasion to create awareness about the importance of early screening and prompt medical attention for anyone experiencing signs and symptoms associated with cancer.

Dr Nyongesa, owner of Texax Cancer Centre, said early screening leads to timely diagnosis, easier treatment and significantly improves the chances of survival.

“Being diagnosed with cancer does not mean death. There is hope at every stage of cancer,” she emphasised.

She urged Kenyans to embrace regular health check-ups, comparing cancer screening to routine vehicle maintenance.

The specialist also cautioned against self-medication and relying on information from social media platforms for cancer treatment.

“It is worrying that many people turn to TikTok and social media for advice on how to treat cancer. Let us seek professional medical care and go for routine check-ups, not only for cancer but for other diseases as well,” she said.

While acknowledging that cancer treatment remains costly, Dr Nyongesa noted that the Social Health Authority (SHA) package now covers cancer screening and has enhanced support for chemotherapy and radiotherapy services. 

SHA has an enhanced benefit tariff of Sh800,000 for cancer patients. 

Holistic oncology consultations covered up to Sh2,500 per visit, including access to an oncologist, nutritionist, mental health support and palliative care.

Chemotherapy administration is set at Sh5,500 and radiotherapy at Sh3,600 per session for 30 sessions. 

CT scans for cancer have been allocated Sh6,900, and Sh40,000 for brachytherapy for three sessions. 

This, according to experts, will improve the quality of care to cancer patients, amid increased cases.

“Everyone should enrol in SHA because it can help them access screening and treatment services,” Nyongesa encouraged patients. 

In an interview with The Standard, Dr Nyongesa said the cancer care pathway in Kenya remains fragmented, with challenges experienced from the onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment.

She explained that many people do not recognise early warning signs of cancer and often seek treatment for other illnesses before receiving the correct diagnosis.

“Cancer is one of the biggest mimics. You can visit a health facility and be treated for several other conditions when, in fact, the underlying problem is cancer,” she said.

She added that limited awareness of cancer symptoms, uncertainty about where to seek specialised diagnosis, and delays in obtaining test results contribute to late detection and disease progression.

“The cancer care pathway is broken at many levels, and we are trying to address this through awareness creation. The government is establishing national and county cancer centres closer to communities, while encouraging public-private partnerships because this burden cannot be left to the government alone,” she said. 

Dr Nyongesa also called for greater investment in cancer education, healthcare workers, infrastructure, modern medicines and specialised equipment. 

Employers are also called upon to support Cancer initiatives, more so because people affected are employees.

Nancy Kang’anya, Communications and Business Manager at Hermosa Paints Ltd, observed that employers have a role to play in supporting prevention, screening and survivorship.

“Cancer is not just a health issue, but a workforce, affecting family and economy,” said Kang’anya.

Speaking during the cancer survivor celebration day, painting and unleashing colour to survivors, Kang’anya said employees can support cancer initiatives by sponsoring screening programs for employees and providing workplace cancer awareness and education.

To enable employees to afford cancer screening and treatment, she challenges employers to include cancer cover in insurance and support flexible work and return-to-work policies for new diagnoses and survivors.

“Cancer is expensive, and employees can ease the burden on their employees by partnering with hospitals and cancer organisations to fund respective cancer initiatives,” she said.

At the same time, Nyongesa called for enhanced sensitisation on cancer, more so among men.

Data shows that out of 10 cases of cancer, four are men. 

Though the number of men is less, Nyongesa said it is concerning because the majority die due to late diagnostics. 

She identified prostate cancer as the most common cancer among men and warned that delayed diagnosis contributes to poor outcomes.

“Society wants men to be strong, but a single statistic represents real people, these are fathers, husbands, providers and pillars of society. When they are lost, families and communities are affected,” said Nyongesa, warning men against the use of tobacco and alcohol that trigger cancer. 

Cancer, she said, is not only a public health concern in Kenya, but globally. 

“Cancer is a difficult disease to manage, and scientists around the world are constantly searching for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat it. Research is also ongoing in Kenyan universities and research institutions to improve outcomes for patients,” she said.