Cancer Epidemiology, Transforming Growth Factor-Beta Levels and Associated Infections in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties, Kenya
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Date
2022
Authors
Muthoni, Gitonga Ciriaka
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide with approximately 14 million cases annually. In Kenya, cancer as a disease ranks third as a cause of death after infectious and cardiovascular diseases. In Meru County, cancer cases have reached alarming levels. Out of all cases referred to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi for cancer therapy in 2016, fifteen percent were from Meru County. Factors contributing to high cancer incidences in Meru County are not well documented. In addition, the true prevalence of cancer in this County is not known, therefore, much emphasizes of putting proper infrastructural facilities and human capacity development is not in place to combat cancer. The current study was aimed at determining the prevalence, distribution, risk factors and infections associated with cancer in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties. The study also aimed at determining the levels of transforming growth factor-beta levels in breast cancer patients with an aim of exploring application of these data in breast cancer diagnosis and management. A random selection of patients aged between 5 to 82 years clinically diagnosed as cancer patients who were visiting Meru and Chuka General Hospitals for a period of one year were recruited for the study. A total of 196 cancer patients were recruited for the study. The participants were requested to give a verbal consent and respond to a brief questionnaire concerning their age, type of cancer they were suffering from, exposure to predisposing factors, chronic coinfection, family history of cancer among other factors. Blood samples were collected to test for immunosuppressive cytokine and infectious diseases. Stool samples were collected and analysed by microscopy to detect for gastrointestinal parasitic infestation. Data was analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics such as frequencies, standard deviations and means of various risk factors. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyse the differences among means of transforming growth factor-beta levels at different cancer stages. Chi square was used to compare categorical data. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The current study established that the prevalence of cancer in people visiting hospitals in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties was 32% and 38% respectively. Further, the study found that the prevalence trends of cancer cases in the two counties have been increasing over the last eight years (2011-2018). People above 50 years of age are the most prone to cancer followed by people in the age bracket of between 31 and 50 years. The risk factors for cancer included age, diet, unregulated use of agrochemicals, tobacco use, use of Khat, public water supply, environmental pollutants like smoke and contraceptive use. Elevated levels of transforming growth factor-beta were found in breast cancer patients when compared with healthy individuals. The most common diseases in cancer patients before cancer diagnosis included HIV/AIDS, pneumonia, tuberculosis, Human papillomavirus, diabetes, H. pylori infection and malaria. The study concludes that cancer is prevalent in Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties and the increases are associated with exposure to risk factors. It is therefore recommended that proper infrastructural and human capacity development be put in place to combat cancer. It is recommended that transforming growth factor-beta be evaluated further for its potential application in cancer diagnosis and staging.
Description
A Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Immunology) in the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University, June, 2022
Keywords
Cancer Epidemiology, Transforming Growth, Factor-Beta Levels, Associated Infections, Meru, Tharaka Nithi Counties, Kenya