NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 18 – AstraZeneca, in collaboration with Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), has launched an Advanced Molecular Testing platform to improve lung cancer diagnosis in Kenya.
The initiative, part of AstraZeneca’s Cancer Care Africa (CCA) program, seeks to provide lung cancer patients with accurate and timely diagnostic solutions for a disease that remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths globally.
The launch coincides with Lung Cancer Awareness Month, highlighting the urgent need for improved diagnostic tools. Lung cancer, which originates from abnormal cell growth in the lungs, is primarily caused by smoking tobacco, accounting for 85% of cases. Other risk factors include exposure to secondhand smoke, occupational hazards, air pollution, and hereditary cancer syndromes.
Globally, lung cancer leads in cancer-related deaths, with 2 million diagnoses and 1.8 million fatalities annually, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Kenya, the Kenya National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022 reports that lung cancer accounted for 794 cases, with 729 deaths and a 92% case fatality rate, primarily due to late diagnosis and frequent misdiagnoses for conditions like tuberculosis.
“This new molecular testing platform will revolutionize Kenya’s diagnostic landscape, addressing critical gaps that have hindered timely and accurate lung cancer diagnosis, ultimately improving patient outcomes,” AstraZeneca stated.
Deepak Arora, Country President for AstraZeneca’s African Cluster, emphasized the platform’s role in expanding access to innovative cancer treatments.
Dr. Phillip Kirwa, CEO of MTRH, affirmed the initiative’s significance in advancing healthcare standards, particularly in combating life-threatening diseases like cancer.
“The launch of this molecular testing platform marks a significant milestone for cancer care in Kenya. At MTRH, we are committed to ensuring every Kenyan has access to timely and precise diagnostic services,” Dr. Kirwa stated.
