Dr. Catherine Nyongesa
Dr. Catherine Nyongesa Calls for Urgent Action to End Preventable Cervical Cancer Deaths in Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya — As Kenya observes Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Catherine Nyongesa, Founder and CEO of Texas Cancer Centre, urges the nation to take decisive steps against a disease that is almost entirely preventable but still claims thousands of Kenyan women’s lives each year.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya, with around 5,200 new cases and over 3,200 deaths annually. These numbers mean nearly nine Kenyan women die every day from a disease that could be prevented through vaccination, screening, and informed health choices.
In partnership with the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI Kenya), Dr. Nyongesa stresses that eradicating cervical cancer is not only possible but achievable within this generation.
“Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers we can stop before it begins,” said Dr. Nyongesa. “When women die from cervical cancer, it is not because we lack solutions—it is because we have not reached them in time. Awareness Month is a reminder that prevention saves lives.”
The Reality in Kenya
- Cervical cancer accounts for over 12% of all cancers diagnosed among Kenyan women
- More than 70% of women are diagnosed at an advanced stage, when treatment is more complex, and outcomes are poorer
- Persistent infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) causes over 99% of cervical cancer cases
Life-Saving Skills Every Kenyan Family Needs to Know
During Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Nyongesa urges communities, parents, and policymakers to focus on the following proven interventions:
1. HPV Vaccination
HPV vaccination is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer. Vaccinating girls aged 9–14 years before exposure to HPV provides long-term protection and can prevent most future cases.
2. Regular Cervical Cancer Screening
Screening detects pre-cancerous changes early—often before symptoms appear. Early treatment can prevent cancer entirely and significantly improves survival rates.
3. Safe Sexual Practices
HPV is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. Practicing safe sex—such as delaying sexual debut, limiting the number of sexual partners, and consistent condom use—greatly reduces the risk of HPV infection.
4. Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Avoiding tobacco use, maintaining a healthy diet, and seeking timely medical care strengthen overall health and reduce cancer risk.
Dr. Catherine Nyongesa is widely recognized as Kenya’s first female oncologist and a national leader in cancer care and advocacy. Through Texas Cancer Centre and her public awareness initiatives, she continues to champion patient-centered care, community education, and equitable access to cancer prevention and treatment services.
Her message this Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is clear:
No woman should die from a preventable disease. With vaccination, screening, safe sexual practices, and collective action, Kenya can eliminate cervical cancer as a cause of death.
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