Former British Prime Minister and current UK Foreign Secretary, Lord David Cameron, announced on Sunday, November 23, 2025, that he has been treated for prostate cancer, using his diagnosis to advocate for a targeted national screening programme in the United Kingdom. His disclosure has cast a sharp light on the urgent and complex debate surrounding prostate cancer in Kenya, the country's most prevalent male cancer.

Lord Cameron, 59, revealed to The Times newspaper that a high Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test result led to a biopsy that confirmed the cancer. He underwent focal therapy, a treatment using electrical pulses to destroy cancerous cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. "You always dread hearing those words," he told the publication, recounting the moment of his diagnosis. His call for more systematic screening in the UK has significant implications for Kenya, where a similar debate about the efficacy and accessibility of screening is ongoing among health officials and the public.

The Kenyan Context: A Silent Epidemic

Prostate cancer represents a major public health challenge in Kenya. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates cited by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), it is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men, accounting for 21.9% of all new male cancer cases. The World Health Organization's data from 2022 showed the disease caused 2,029 deaths in Kenya, with 3,582 new cases reported. Despite these figures, awareness and screening rates remain alarmingly low. A 2021 study published in BMC Public Health on a rural community in Kenya found that while 84% of men had heard of prostate cancer, only 40.6% knew about screening, and the actual screening prevalence was just 5%. More recent reports suggest the national screening uptake among Kenyan men is as low as 4.4%.

This reluctance is often attributed to a combination of factors, including cultural barriers, fear of diagnosis, misconceptions linking screening to witchcraft or diminished masculinity, and the high cost of healthcare. Consequently, a majority of cases—up to 80% according to KEMRI—are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and less effective, leading to high mortality rates.

National Screening Guidelines and Challenges

The Kenyan Ministry of Health, in its latest "National Cancer Screening and Early Diagnosis Guidelines" released on October 1, 2024, addresses the need for early detection. The guidelines recommend modalities for prostate cancer screening but stop short of a universal, population-wide programme like the one Lord Cameron is advocating for in the UK. The current approach focuses on opportunistic screening for at-risk individuals. The recommended tests include the PSA blood test and the Digital Rectal Examination (DRE).

However, implementing even these targeted guidelines faces significant hurdles. There is a notable disparity in access to diagnostic services between urban and rural areas. Furthermore, the cost of tests and subsequent treatment can be prohibitive for many. Public figures in Kenya have played a crucial role in raising awareness by sharing their own experiences. Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o has been public about his diagnosis and treatment for stage three prostate cancer in 2010, helping to destigmatize the disease.

Global Relevance and UK-Kenya Relations

Lord Cameron's diagnosis comes as he holds the significant post of UK Foreign Secretary, a role in which he has engaged with African leaders, including Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi. While his advocacy for screening is currently focused on the UK's National Health Service (NHS), his high-profile position ensures the conversation has a global audience. As Prime Minister, Lord Cameron championed international development, overseeing the UK's commitment to spending 0.7% of Gross National Income on foreign aid, a policy that has had significant impacts on health programmes across Africa. His return to frontline politics has included a renewed emphasis on foreign aid as a "moral mission."

His personal health battle now intersects with this international profile, potentially influencing future health diplomacy and UK-funded global health initiatives. For Kenya, the key takeaway from Lord Cameron's announcement is the powerful impact of high-profile advocacy in driving public health conversations. His call for evidence-based, targeted screening aligns with the goals of Kenyan health experts who are working to increase early detection and improve survival rates for the thousands of Kenyan men diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. The challenge remains in translating this awareness into accessible, affordable, and culturally sensitive screening programmes on the ground.