www.ijird.com June, 2017 Vol 6 Issue 6 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INNOVATIVE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT DOI No. : 10.24940/ijird/2017/v6/i6/JUN17029 Page 39 The Role of Culture in Managing the Cancer Crisis in Kenya 1. Introduction According to the World Cancer Report, cancer accounts for approximately 12% of all-cause mortality worldwide (International Agency for Research on Cancer {IARC} 2008). IARC estimated that globally 7.6 million people died from cancer and that 12.4 million new cases were diagnosed in 2008. They project that, due to increase in life expectancy, improvement in clinical diagnostics, and shifting trends in health behaviors (e.g. increases in smoking and sedentary lifestyles), in the absence of significant efforts to improve global cancer control, cancer mortality could increase to 12.9 million and cancer incidence to 20 million by the year 2030. In Kenya, the leading cancers in women are breast, esophagus and cervical cancers. In men, esophagus and prostate cancer and Kaposi sarcoma are the most common cancers. Based on 2002 data from the Nairobi Cancer Registry, of all the cancers registered, breast cancer accounted for 23.3%, cervical cancer for 20% and prostate cancer for 9.4%. In 2006, around 2 354 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer and 65% of these died of the disease (Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and Ministry and Medical Services, 2011). Records from the regional cancer registry at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), show that about 80% of reported cases of cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages, when very little can be achieved in terms of curative treatment. The country has few cancer specialists who are concentrated in a few health facilities in the capital city, Nairobi. Health information on cancer whether published or non-published is either relatively rare and, or is couched in difficult texts. This makes it difficult for a great majority of the population to access cancer treatment services resulting in long waiting times causing some previously curable tumors to progress to incurable stages. In its strategic plan, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and Ministry of Medical Services (2011) have emphasized the need for action to prevent cancer, especially those related to smoking and other modifiable risk factors. Enhanced health promotion, education and advocacy is one of the key strategies the government and other partners target to improve public understanding of cancer. This is aimed at empowering the public in general, to adopt healthier lifestyles and healthcare professionals in particular to recognize the symptoms of cancer and identify people at risk or living with cancer. It seeks to improve early detection of cancer by introducing or expanding the available screening programs and putting in place mechanisms and services that are proven to save lives. Despite the above efforts, cancer continuous to claim many lives with the latest survey ranking it third on causes of deaths in the country (Ministry of public health and sanitation and ministry of medical services, 2011). Previous studies in American, European and Asian contexts (Kwok &Sullivan, 2007a, Kwok & Sullivan, 2007b,O’Byrne, Kavanagh, Ugoni & Diver, 2000, and National Health and Medical Research Council, 2006) have shown direct influence of culture on chronic disease health care provision although little ISSN 2278 – 0211 (Online) Naom Nyarigoti Lecturer, Department of English and Linguistics, United States International University, Africa Quin E. Awuor Lecturer, Department of English and Linguistics, Technical University of Kenya Eunice Nyamasyo Lecturer, Department of English and Linguistics, Kenyatta University, Kenya Abstract: Cancer is among the leading causes of death across the world. Knowledge about the causes of cancer, and interventions to prevent and manage the disease is extensive. However, in nations that are characterized by high illiteracy levels and conservative cultural practices, this knowledge can be inaccessible resulting in increased cancer morbidity and mortality rates. In Kenya, for instance, although efforts have been made by the government and other organizations to sensitize people about prevention, early detection and management of cancer, the disease continues to claim many lives with the latest survey ranking it third on causes of deaths in the country. This study examined how culture influences knowledge utilization and management of three types of cancer: breast, prostate and cervical. Using a qualitative design, interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data from five counties in Kenya. Findings show that although there is huge chunk of information available about cancer, cultural beliefs shared by different ethnic groups contribute to individuals’ response to the information. Stigma, myths, and taboos held by different communities negatively affect efforts to fight the pandemic. Keywords: Health literacy, culture, cancer