Hospitals Begin Screening Men for Prostate Cancer Nationwide

Hospitals across Kenya are stepping up prostate cancer screening efforts after the Ministry of Health endorsed a national screening programme in its updated cancer-screening guidelines. The move comes amid concerns that many men are only being diagnosed at late, harder-to-treat stages, with prostate cancer remaining one of the leading male cancers in the country.
Screening methods include Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, which are now being made available in Level-4 hospitals and above, in line with the national guidelines. These tests aim to detect the disease earlier, giving men a better chance for effective treatment. Private and public hospitals are participating, and newly donated diagnostic tools—including ultrasound-guided biopsy machines—are improving access.
In Nyandarua County, local health officials report a significant increase in men turning up for PSA tests. Meanwhile, Nakuru County is offering free prostate screening at several hospitals under its Go Early cancer awareness campaign. To make screening more accessible, AAR Hospital has lowered its prostate screening fees by about 30%, reducing costs for the ultrasound tests men need.
Health advocates say this nationwide push could change outcomes for Kenyan men. If men go for regular check-ups starting from age 40—as recommended in the guidelines —earlier diagnosis could lead to lower mortality and less aggressive treatment in the long run.
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