Kenyan youth’s understanding of cancer and cancer risk: a qualitative study

Abstract

Cancer incidence and mortality continues to rise worldwide including in Kenya and Kenyan youth who take part in cancer risk behaviour increase their chances of getting the disease in future. Despite this awareness, little is known about how Kenyan youth conceptualize cancer and cancer risk. Therefore, using a qualitative research study approach, we explored Kenyan youth’s understanding of cancer and cancer risk. Fifty-three youth between ages 12–19 years were engaged through individual interviews and focus group discussions. Using qualitative analysis approaches, we arrived at youth’s conceptualization of cancer and cancer risk. In youth’s conceptualization of cancer, their descriptions are grouped into two themes: ‘Cancer as a mysterious illness’ and ‘Lay representations using metaphors’. In their conceptualization of cancer risk, youth described cancer risk in ways that are grouped as ‘Cancer risk as lifestyle factors’ and ‘The process of understanding risk’. Our study is the first of its kind to be conducted in Kenya and we present critical findings and recommendations for cancer and cancer risk awareness, health education, and promotion for this population.