SPEECH

BY
FIRST
LADY
OF
KENYA,
HER
EXCELLENECY MARGARET KENYATTA DURING THE
OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 10TH STOP
CERVICAL, BREAST AND PROSTATE CANCER IN
AFRICA (SCCA) CONFERENCE IN ADDIS ABABA,
ETHIOPIA ON JULY 25TH 2016.
It is such an honour and a privilege to be with you today.
I thank His Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime
Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,
Her Excellency First Lady Roman Tesfaye and the generous
people of Ethiopia for graciously hosting all of us. Ethiopia
continues to demonstratein word and in deeda
steadfast and unwavering commitment to inspiring PanAfrican cooperation on the issues that most affect our
continent.

We have converged here today to discuss cancer as the

main meeting agenda because more than ever, a
concerted, cohesive and comprehensive effort is needed
to directly combat the staggering increase of cancer
deaths on our continent. The disease and associated risks
continue to remain unknown to the majority of our
populations, therefore posing a real challenge and burden
to all our national health interventions.
We have a critical opportunity as leaders, as patriots, as
Africans, as citizens and as friends, to collectively commit
to combating this disease, step up our individual efforts in
cancer prevention and catalyse best practices where we
have succeeded.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It has taken a fearless and formidable army to make this
event possible. I know that for many of those individuals,
this conference has meant something personal. After all,
at the end of the day, cancer affects all of us. So I want to
thank everyone who is here for taking the time to be with

us and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the SCCA

conference.
I am deeply encouraged to see hundreds of people I see
here today, and the diversity of representation. Not
because a well-attended conference automatically attests
to action. But because every country represented here
every single one of youis a living testament to the
unparalleled, historic consensus we currently have on the
continent about the urgent need to tackle this detrimental
disease we call cancerespecially cervical, breast and
prostate cancer.
Ladies and Gentlemen, allow me to share just a few
examples from my home.
Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya after
infectious and cardiovascular diseases. Reproductive
cancers continue to pose a huge public health burden to
the country with cervical and breast cancer being the
most common cancers accounting for approximately 30%
of cancer deaths amongst women. Prostate cancer
continues to be the leading cancer among men. These
cancers can be treated, but a large proportion of them are
diagnosed at an advanced stage where curative treatment
is no longer an option. Our Demographic Health Survey
shows evidence of low levels of screening for these three
most common cancers.
The Kenya Government, health partners and communities
have invested resources to lower cancer incidences and
improve the lives of cancer patients including: advocacy
work conducted at the highest levels of policy, investment
in ground-breaking cancer treatment centres, recently
expanded national health insurance outpatient cover to
include payment for chemotherapy and radiotherapy
treatment both locally and abroad. Right now Kenya has
already rolled out a program that will see adolescent girls
across the country get vaccinated against HPV. This is
proof that progress is possible. It is proof that we all have
what it takes to takes to win this war against Cancer.

This consensus spans different sectors and different

sections of our society. It is shared by policy makers,
politicians, and health professionals, our citizens, not for
profit and profit entities.
Ladies and Gentlemen. We have heard the progress that
we have made together over the last decade. We have
raised awareness and we have ensured that more girls,
women and men have the information and the facilities
they need to get tested.
Together, we have lobbied and raised our voices to
highlight cancer as a critical issue for policy makers. This
has been our clarion call. And as I have sat and listened to
all the speeches, presentations and testimonials that have
been shared here, my heart has swelled with pride at the
stories of our success. I also have heard the sense of
urgency, and have been deeply challenged by the bold,
brazen belief of everyone who has spoken. That we can
have a continent, where cancer does not cripple us, and a
world where we can beat cancer, not the other way
around.

I share that belief. And for me, it is not blind faith. I have
seen what can happen when people come together to
combat cancer. I have seen what can be achieved in that
battle. I have seen it in my own country and I have heard
it from your stories. There is proof that progress is
possible. And I believe it all the more because of
everybody seated in front of me.

So today, as I hand over the leadership of the SCCA, I am

convinced more than ever that at this meeting, we have
all the resources we need to make a radical difference in
Africas healthcare, and to ensure that cancer does not
continue to be the dominant cause of death in the
developing world. We have the power and the purpose,
the wisdom and the will, the ability and the empathy, to
make a lasting difference.

I know that, because I have caught a glimpse of this

during my tenure. But I also know we have so much more
to do. My hope, is that over the next 10 years, we will fully
exploit all the potential in this room so that we can see a
stronger, healthier continent where boys and girls, women
and men are protected from cancer.
I celebrate all the work we have done, and all the progress
we have made, and I look forward to everything we will
continue to achieve in the future.
Thank you and God bless you all.