Increasing Female Breast Cancer Burden: Downstaging interventions as the ‘best buy’ for Kenya

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Female breast cancer (FBC) is a global health concern. According to GLOBOCAN 2020 estimates, it has surpassed lung cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, with an estimated 2.3 million (11.7%) news cases worldwide [1]. Specifically, the report indicates that FBC is not only the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Kenya with an estimated 6,799 (16.1%) new cases but also the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. The incidence in Kenya is predicted to increase by 35% by the year 2025 [2]. Although the incidence of FBC is higher in high-income countries (HICs), there is disproportionately higher mortality and poorer survival rates in low- and medium income (LMICs) such as Kenya due to late-stage at presentation/diagnosis and inadequate treatment in LMICs and vice versa for HICs [3].