Michael (not his real name) is a 64-year-old farmer from Central Kenya who was recently diagnosed with Kaposi’s Sarcoma after developing a non-itchy but painful lesion on the palm of his hand — his primary tool for earning a living, as he tills land daily.
Though this type of cancer is commonly believed to affect with men living with advanced AIDS, Michael tested negative. He neither smokes nor drinks alcohol, and has no known family history of the disease.
His case is one among many involving skin cancer in Kenya — a condition that, while common, remains significantly underreported. Those at higher risk include outdoor workers like farmers, as well as individuals with albinism.
However, contrary to popular belief, skin cancer is not always caused by exposure to the sun or the lack of sunscreen use. It can also develop in areas of the body that are always covered up, like the back, or legs.
Kaposis Sarcoma (KS) is one example of the various types of skin cancer. It is classified as a non-melanoma skin cancer, and it develops in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. Other classifications of skin cancer fall under melanoma or cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCLs).
The most common form of CTCL is Mycosis Fungoides (MF), a rare type of blood cancer that affects the skin and can present as patches, plaques, or tumors. It can even be mistaken for a fungal infection.
These insights were the focus of discussion during a webinar held on March 27th, 2025 on the prevalence of skin cancer in Kenya hosted by JKUAT’s College of Health Sciences (COHES) and Indiana University USA as part of the Extension of Community Health Outcomes initiative (ECHO).
The webinar centred around KS with various specialists contributing to the discussion. As presented by Dr Lawrence Mark Chief of Dermatology at Indiana School of Medicine (USA) although KS is mostly associated with men with HIV/AIDS, this is just one subtype categorized as the Endemic. KS has three other subtypes that affect other populations.
These include: Chronic KS which affects those above the age of 50 including women, African Endemic KS which can also affect children, and iatrogenic immunosuppression which can occur as a result of a weakened immune system caused by systemic medication (e.g., for lung disease).
All types of KS look similar, often showing as reddish or purple patches or lumps on the skin and and mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth, nose, and throat. The disease can become life-threatening when it spreads to the gastrointestinal tract and lungs. However, treatment and recovery are possible, especially with early detection.”
Dr. Roop Saini a consultant Dermatologist at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in her presentation on The Burden of Skin Cancer in Kenya said that Kenya (especially areas near the equator and at higher altitudes), is one of the regions exposed to high levels of UV radiation due to its geographic location and proximity to the sun.
She emphasized that the growing burden of skin cancer presents not only a medical concern but also a significant social and economic challenge. Many patients, particularly those from low-income and rural communities, face loss of income, high treatment costs, and reduced quality of life.
This, in turn, places additional strain on families and the healthcare system. She stressed the urgent need for increased public awareness, early detection, and preventive measures to reduce the long-term impact on public health.
Building on Dr. Saini’s remarks, Dr. Elias Melly, a skin cancer epidemiologist at the National Cancer Institute of Kenya, highlighted that while the Institute has a strategic focus on early detection of skin cancers—alongside other common cancers—challenges persist.
He stated that efforts include regulating exposure to carcinogens, such as restricting ozone-depleting chemicals linked to UV radiation. However, significant hurdles remain, including late presentation of patients, limited diagnostic and treatment resources, and inadequate data.
Dr. Melly emphasized the importance of leveraging technology in resource-limited settings, establishing robust cancer registries—particularly for serious conditions like Mycosis Fungoides—and increasing the number of trained dermatologists. He also called for sustained public education campaigns focused on sun protection and early warning signs of skin cancer.
In relation to this, the Principal of the College of Health Sciences (COHES), Dr. Reuben Thuo, stated that JKUAT is keen on establishing and supporting the development of a national cancer registry. He emphasized the University’s commitment to strengthening data collection through more cancer registers and surveillance systems.
This will particularly address the challenge of underreporting — a problem largely attributed to the absence of registries and specialists in rural areas.
JKUAT, in partnership with KNH was the first university in Kenya to launch a Masters program in Dermatology in September 2021 in a bid to address the shortage of dermatologists in the country.
Reportedly, counties like Taita Taveta have only one dermatologist, and there are less than 10 in all of Coastal region.
The session was moderated by a panel of experts from various departments within the College of Health Sciences. The panelists included Dr. Serah Kaggia (Human Pathology), Dr. Musa Mohammed (Surgery), Dr. Ger Nyanjom (Biochemistry), Dr. Martha Makobe (Medical Microbiology), and Dr. Patrick Mburugu, the Chief Medical Officer from the Department of Pediatrics.
The organizers of the webinar led by Dr Eddy Odari (JKUAT) and Dr Sherri Bucher (Indiana University) appreciated the diverse multidisciplinary attendance whose outcome was an engaging, informative session.
The next series of the ECHO webinar on skin cancer will be held in May 2025.
