“When the Doctor Said Cancer, Everything Stopped”: A Qualitative Study of the Lived Experiences of Men With Prostate Cancer in Kenya

Abstract

Prostate cancer is a growing public health concern in Kenya, where it is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and managed within resource-constrained health systems. This study examined the lived experiences of men diagnosed with prostate cancer, focusing on how the illness shaped their identities, relationships, and daily lives. We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 130 men recruited from oncology clinics across five counties (Nairobi, Garissa, Meru, Machakos, and Kisii). Audio recordings were transcribed and translated verbatim into English, where necessary, by trained research assistants. Thematic analysis was conducted following the Braun and Clarke’s six-phase framework, with NVivo 12 Plus supporting data management. Five core themes emerged: 1) emotional and existential disruption at diagnosis; (2) treatment as both a source of hope and hardship; (3) geographic and financial barriers to care; (4) challenges to masculine identity and dignity; and (5) the dual role of family and community as sources of both support and stigma. Prostate cancer precipitated profound identity shifts for Kenyan men, transforming lived experiences from those of strong providers to vulnerable patients and disrupting deeply rooted social and personal roles. These findings underscore the need for holistic, culturally responsive cancer care that integrates psychosocial support from the point of diagnosis and addresses structural barriers to access. Such approaches are essential for advancing patient-centered prostate cancer care in Kenya and similar settings.