Rationale
While access to care is limited in Kenya, the high death rate from breast cancer is attributable to late diagnosis. The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) states that 80% of reported cases in the country are diagnosed at an advanced stage, leaving few options for curative treatment (18). Late stage diagnosis has been shown to contribute to the difference in survival between rich and poor (7) and black and white (12).
In addition to late diagnosis, breast cancer patients are often unwilling to engage in treatment recommendations further delaying care and contributing to poor outcome(11&16).
Muthoni et al examined the knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer among both urban and rural Kenyan women, highlighting the need for more awareness about the symptoms and severity of breast cancer and the importance of early detection (16) Kenyan women often waited to seek medical care when they were in excruciating pain or had discharge from their breasts (16). This was true for both urban and rural women, despite a higher knowledge of breast cancer risk factors among urban women (16). Both groups of women viewed breast cancer as very severe, but stigma, fear and high fatalism resulted in fewer rural or lower-income urban women from perceiving the benefit of early detection (16). For both groups of women, fear of losing husbands or family support after diagnosis contributed to feelings of shame and stigma (16).
In Kenya, due to the lack of affordable health care, and the limited use of preventative health care, most Kenyan people do not usually see health care providers for preventative measures. Moreover, living in remote rural places, limited resources such as income and limited health care facilities can be factors preventing women in Kenya from accessing screening services. These women will prioritise the necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing and education for their family members, over their own health matters.
In addition to late diagnosis, breast cancer patients are often unwilling to engage in treatment recommendations further delaying care and contributing to poor outcome(11&16).
Muthoni et al examined the knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer among both urban and rural Kenyan women, highlighting the need for more awareness about the symptoms and severity of breast cancer and the importance of early detection (16) Kenyan women often waited to seek medical care when they were in excruciating pain or had discharge from their breasts (16). This was true for both urban and rural women, despite a higher knowledge of breast cancer risk factors among urban women (16). Both groups of women viewed breast cancer as very severe, but stigma, fear and high fatalism resulted in fewer rural or lower-income urban women from perceiving the benefit of early detection (16). For both groups of women, fear of losing husbands or family support after diagnosis contributed to feelings of shame and stigma (16).
In Kenya, due to the lack of affordable health care, and the limited use of preventative health care, most Kenyan people do not usually see health care providers for preventative measures. Moreover, living in remote rural places, limited resources such as income and limited health care facilities can be factors preventing women in Kenya from accessing screening services. These women will prioritise the necessities, such as food, shelter, clothing and education for their family members, over their own health matters.