Experts Recommend Early Screening for Breast Cancer

Health experts in Kenya are strongly advocating for early breast cancer screening, citing the high rates of late-stage diagnosis and improved outcomes when cancer is caught sooner. According to Dr. Caroline Ngugi of Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital, regular screening is a key cornerstone in reducing breast cancer mortality, especially since many women only present when the disease has already advanced. New national cancer screening guidelines from the Ministry of Health recommend that women begin screening earlier than previously advised. The 2024 National Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Guidelines suggest that breast cancer epidemiology in Kenya peaks around age 40, and therefore a risk-based early detection program should be implemented. The guidelines endorse clinical breast examination (CBE) as a primary tool to down‑stage diagnoses, which can substantially improve survival.Experts are also calling on women to perform breast self-examinations (BSE) regularly and to report any changes immediately. These calls are backed by the Kenya National Cancer Control Program, which highlights early detection — via self-exams, CBE, or imaging — as critical in improving treatment success.There is also support for broader community screening campaigns. For instance, a pilot program documented in a PMC study found that screening uptake remains low, but when combined with community education and accessible clinical services, early detection has the potential to significantly reduce breast cancer mortality.