<p><img src="/nairobi/PublishingImages/AKUH%20Astrazeneca%20body%20image.jpg" alt="" style="margin: 5px;"/> </p><p>AstraZeneca and the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi (AKUH,N) have today announced a partnership to make Breast Cancer gene 1 and 2 (BRCA1/2) genetic testing in Kenya more accessible, an important step toward improving cancer care for patients across the country and the region.</p><p>The collaboration, supported by Cancer Care Africa, a Health Equity initiative by AstraZeneca, focuses on strengthening the cancer ecosystem and ensuring that more patients benefit from timely, evidence-based diagnosis and personalized treatment.</p><p>Cancer now accounts for nearly 7% of all deaths in Kenya. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this translates to roughly 32,000 lives lost each year, alongside more than 44,000 new diagnoses. This national burden mirrors a wider regional crisis: East Africa is experiencing some of the fastest-rising cancer rates on the continent, driven by late diagnosis, limited screening, and gaps in treatment infrastructure.</p><p>Dr. Khomotso Mashilane, Medical Director for the Africa Cluster at AstraZeneca, said, “Behind every cancer diagnosis is a family searching for answers and hope. Expanding access to clinically validated BRCA testing is essential to improving early diagnosis and ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate, evidence-based care. This partnership marks an important step in strengthening cancer care pathways across Kenya and advancing our shared goal of delivering equitable, high-quality cancer care for every person who needs it,&quot;</p><p>Through this partnership, BRCA testing will now be offered at subsidized rates at AKUHN, removing a key barrier to accessing precision oncology. Lower costs and wider availability will support earlier diagnosis, better risk assessment, and improved treatment decisions for patients with cancers where BRCA1/2 mutations play a critical role.</p><p>Prof. Shahin Sayed, Chair and Director of Laboratory Medicine at AKUHN said: “ Diagnostics are the backbone of healthcare because they are fundamental in identifying diseases, guiding treatment decisions, and preventing the spread of illness.  At Aga Khan University Hospital, we are committed to delivering reliable diagnostic information in line with international standards and through this partnership, we will offer high-quality BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing at a more affordable cost, increasing access to precision diagnostics. This will also ensure clinicians can initiate timely management of patients thus boosting clinical outcomes.&quot;</p><p>Dr. Elias Melly, CEO of the National Cancer Institute of Kenya (NCI-K), emphasized national alignment: “Strengthening cancer diagnostics is one of our top national priorities. Expanding access to BRCA testing supports our goal of improving early detection and ensuring that every Kenyan has access to quality cancer care as early as possible. We welcome this initiative and the strong collaboration that underpins it.&quot;</p><p>BRCA1 and BRCA2 testing identifies inherited changes in two genes that can increase a person&#39;s risk of developing cancers such as breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancer. Including this testing as part of routine cancer care helps medical personnel detect risk earlier and make more informed, personalized treatment decisions, including whether a patient might benefit from certain targeted medicines.</p><p>Dr. Gladwell Kiarie, President of the Kenya Society of Haematology &amp; Oncology (KESHO), added: “Molecular diagnostics are essential to modern cancer care. By making BRCA testing more accessible and affordable, this partnership closes an important gap in Kenya&#39;s oncology landscape. KESHO is proud to support efforts that bring us closer to equitable, evidence-based cancer care for all patients.&quot;</p><p>The partnership aligns with AstraZeneca&#39;s commitment to health equity and AKUHN&#39;s mission to deliver world-class, patient-centred care. Together, the partners aim to demonstrate a scalable model for precision medicine in Africa, one that strengthens the cancer care continuum from prevention and diagnosis through treatment and survivorship, while ensuring cost is not a barrier to access.
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