Nakuru: Nakuru County is set to significantly advance its cancer treatment services with the installation of a third state-of-the-art cancer diagnosis and treatment machine. This new addition aims to improve treatment efficiency by minimizing the side effects associated with radiotherapy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) donated the Linear Accelerator (LINAC) radiotherapy machine through the Ministry of Health. Ms. Roselyn Mungai, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Services, highlighted that the equipment would broaden the scope of oncology services for patients in the region. The LINAC machine is designed to treat a wide range of cancers by delivering high-energy X-rays that target cancerous cells more effectively than the older cobalt units.
Ms. Mungai emphasized that the new technology would halve the time cancer patients spend undergoing radiotherapy. She noted that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration is collaborating with the National Government to ensure ongoing support for the Cancer Centre, which will serve not only Nakuru County but also its neighboring regions. Efforts are ongoing to ensure the LINAC machines are optimally staffed, enhancing service delivery.
The new technology has the advantage of targeting only cancerous cells, thereby reducing side effects that were common with older technologies which affected normal cells as well. The CECM mentioned that the Nakuru Teaching and Referral Hospital’s Cancer Centre currently serves around 60 patients monthly. Unlike conventional radiation therapy, the latest LINAC model offers precise targeting of tumors, delivering high doses of radiation while sparing surrounding structures, thus improving treatment outcomes.
The LINAC machine reduces the radiation delivery time to three minutes, compared to the 40 minutes required by older models, which also alleviates patient anxiety and allows for a higher patient turnover. It also incorporates advanced features such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT), ensuring the accuracy of treatment by using imaging to guide radiation delivery.
Ms. Mungai assured that the LINAC machine would significantly improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare for cancer patients, offering the best outpatient oncology care in the country and reducing patient distress during treatment. She explained that while most oncology units have relied on Cobalt-60 radiotherapy machines, the transition to digital Linear Accelerator Machines (LINAC) offers a more advanced solution.
The older cobalt machines emit gamma rays that degrade over time, requiring longer treatment sessions and periodic replacement of the radioactive source. In contrast, the LINAC machine uses electricity to produce X-rays, providing a more consistent and potent treatment option, particularly for deep-seated tumors. It also allows for effective treatment of superficial tumors without damaging vital organs.
A Ministry of Health survey indicated that cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, after infectious and cardiovascular diseases, accounting for 8% of overall mortality. With 42,000 cases and 27,000 deaths annually, many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is less effective. The introduction of the LINAC machine aims to improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes, potentially reducing cancer-related mortality rates in the region.
