Cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to rise globally, with an estimated 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths in 2018. The detailed cancer patterns in different world regions, however, are complex. Majority of cancers occur in low-and middle-income countries (GLOBOCAN 2018; WHO, 2017). The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades, with significant and rising economic effects. The direct and indirect economic costs related to the prevention and treatment of the cancer globally were approximately $1.16 trillion in 2010 (WHO, 2017).

Cancer incidence and mortality rates continue to rise globally, with an estimated 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths in 2018. The detailed cancer patterns in different world regions, however, are complex. Majority of cancers occur in low-and middle-income countries (GLOBOCAN 2018; WHO, 2017). The number of new cases is expected to rise by about 70% over the next two decades, with significant and rising economic effects. The direct and indirect economic costs related to the prevention and treatment of the cancer globally were approximately $1.16 trillion in 2010 (WHO, 2017).

Cancer is a generic term for a large group of diseases characterized by the growth and spread of abnormal cells beyond their usual boundaries that can then invade adjoining parts of the body and/or spread to other organs. Cancer arises from the transformation of normal cells into tumour cells in a multistage process that generally progresses from a pre-cancerous lesion to a malignant tumour.

The global burden of cancer has been on the rise with approximately 18 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2018 as compared to 14 million in 2012 (GLOBOCAN). In Kenya, the GLOBOCAN report estimates about 45% increase in incidence in 2018 with 47,887 new cases as compared to 37,000 in 2012. The burden of disease is further compounded by a severely limited capacity of the health system to provide the necessary health services across the cancer continuum of care.

This Act may be cited as the Cancer Prevention and Control Act, 2012 and shall come into operation on such date as the Cabinet Secretary may, by notice in the Gazette, appoint which date shall not exceed ninety days from the date of publication.

The Kenya Mental Health Policy 2015-2030 provides for a framework on interventions for securing mental health systems reforms in Kenya. This is in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, Vision 2030, the Kenya Health Policy (2014- 2030) and the global commitments. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, in article 43. (1)(a) provides that “every person has the right to the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the right to healthcare services”.

The Kenya Health Policy, 2014–2030 gives direction to ensure significant improvement in the overall status of health in Kenya in line with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, the country’s longterm development agenda, Vision 2030 and global commitments. It demonstrates the health sector’s commitment, under the government’s stewardship, to ensuring that the country attains the highest possible standards of health, in a manner responsive to the needs of the population.

The task of reviewing the School Health Policy was a consultative process which involved a wide range of stakeholders. The Ministry of Health and Education would like to acknowledge the contribution and commitment of the various line ministries, stakeholders and actors as well as development partners for the efforts, energy and time invested in the review and finalization of this policy and implementation guidelines.

The development of the Kenya Cancer Policy involved in-depth consultations with various stakeholders through interviews, literature review and consultative meetings. This policy is guided by the international best practices for cancer prevention, care and management. The Ministry of Health would like to acknowledge individuals and organizations who dedicated their time and effort towards the development ofthis first Kenya CancerPolicy2019-2030.

T he Ministry of Health has spearheaded the development of this third national cancer control strategic plan building up from lessons learnt in implementing the second National Cancer Control Strategy 2017-2022, with a vision of a nation free from the preventable burden of cancer. The mission of this strategic plan is to implement a coordinated and responsive cancer control framework that leads to reduced morbidity and mortality and improves the experiences and quality of life of patients living with cancer by the year 2028. The ultimate goal is to reduce premature mortality from cancer in Kenya by a third by the same year