Cancer Care
According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 20 million people are presently living with cancer. It is estimated that 70% of new cancer cases in the next decade will occur in low resource countries like Kenya. This rise can partially be attributed lifestyles factors such as tobacco use, alcohol, industrial carcinogens and infectious agents.
In response to this growing challenge, AKUH,N has developed a regional Comprehensive Cancer Programme.
Our range of cancer care services are delivered to international best practice standards, and aim to lead the enhancement of oncology services throughout East Africa. The services we offer include early detection and screening programmes, specialised diagnostics, chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, as well as palliative and rehabilitation programmes.
We emphasize rapid access to a multi-disciplinary model of care. Our expert team of doctors, nurses, dieticians, counselors and pharmacists guides each patient through diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Using this approach, our personalized treatment plans reflect the combined expertise of numerous medical professionals, who work together to provide patients and their families with outstanding medical care.
Outpatient Cancer Care
The Outpatient Cancer Care (OCC) is part of our larger Comprehensive Oncology Program. The facility is designed to provide an integrated, patient-centered service accross the care cycle from diagnosis through treatment, survivorship and palliative care.
The Outpatient Cancer Care also offers streamlined, efficient care by our multidisciplinary team of specialists. This coordinated approach allows us to offer all inclusive care to cancer patients and their families as a one stop service.
Breast Centre
The Breast Centre offers services to patients with any form of breast
problems and to individuals seeking information and or breast health
education.
The
clinic also offers breast conservation surgery, an operation done to
treat breast cancer with the removal of as little breast tissue as
possible. This is achieved through a procedure known as Breast
Conserving Therapy (BCT) where removal of the tumor cells is followed
with radiation therapy to the remaining healthy cells of the breasts.
With
modern surgical techniques, BCT has excellent cosmetic results (i.e.
treated and untreated breast are almost identical or only slight
differences) especially with the current use of oncoplastic techniques.
Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer Treatment
Brachytherapy is a type of radiotherapy that can be used to treat cervical cancer.
In
Brachytherapy, the radioactive source is placed as close to the tumour
as possible to deliver a very high dose in a localised area. This
reduces the risk of unnecessary damage to the healthy tissue and organs
close to the tumour.
Palliative Care
Palliative care is a medical specialty that focuses on comfort, relief of symptoms, and clarifying patient’s treatment goals. It can be offered concurrently with other medical therapies for any seriously ill patient with any disease or condition, particularly when there are physical, psycho-social, or spiritual complications.
The main aim is to treat the patient’s symptoms, provide supportive care while understanding the patient’s aspirations and goals. It also ensures that patients and their families are fully informed of the diagnosis and the likely outcomes in a timely, sensitive and appropriate manner. Palliative care involves treating the patient’s pain, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, weight loss, loss of appetite, difficulty in breathing and many others.
Patients requiring palliative care services can be attended to through referral by their primary doctor and book an appointment or as walk-ins.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy or chemo is a treatment method that uses drugs to damage cancer cells. Chemo is most effective when given as a combination of two or more drugs used together.
The Chemo Unit is equipped with reclining seats for patients' comfort. The length of stay for treatments is between half hour to eight hours, depending on the type of treatment.
The daily administration of chemotherapy allows patients to go home the same day after chemotherapy infusion.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy or radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy radiation to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.
Patients referred for or undergoing radiotherapy treatment are seen by our radiation oncologist in the oncology clinics offering a wide range of services including 3D confromal and select cases for IMRT.
CT Simulator for Radiation Therapy Planning
A CT Simulator is a dedicated wide wall CT Scanner that a radiation oncologist uses to map out the exact area of treatment.
