Kenya Cancer Association

Kenya Cancer Association (KENCASA) is a voluntary run non-profit making organization established in Kenya in 1995 after recognition that Cancer was emerging as a leading cause of death in the country. It was officially registered as a Non-Governmental Organisation in 2005 although it had existed previously as part of the Ministry of health since the 1980s. Its core mandate is to raise public awareness on Cancer as well as mobilize stakeholders including the Government to prioritize Cancer in their planning, programming and budgeting. Its other mandates include to coordinate and provide leadership to efforts aimed at cancer control and reducing the burden of cancer in Kenya, and participating actively in activities and initiatives geared towards reduction of the cancer burden in Kenya.The vision is to ensure that all Kenyans are made aware about Cancer, its causes, prevention mechanisms, available treatment and care with the overall goal of combating Cancer across the country and hence reducing the incidence and prevalence of Cancer in Kenya. Through effective partnerships and using all available avenues, develop policies and strategies that will educate all Kenyans about cancer and involve key stakeholders and the populace in cancer prevention and control and get the government to prioritize cancer control initiatives. This is in recognition of the fact that the fight against Cancer cannot be won by an individual nor a government alone but through public, private partnership and that the best and most effective weapon against cancer is knowledge. In 1990, KENCASA became associate UICC member. KENCASA is licensed by the American Cancer Association to hold the Relay for Life event. Kenya Cancer Association was involved in the establishment of the children’s cancer ward. Also they were involved in the set of the Nairobi Hospice situated at Kenyatta National Hospital. Kencasa contributed in initiating, developing with experts and government ministries for the National cancer Control Act that was signed into Law by the Kenyan President in 2012.