Innovative cancer dashboard unveiled toTransform cancer care.

KEMRI ‘s Principal Investigator Dr. Thomas Odeny in collaboration with head of cancer department at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) Dr Fiona Adagi developed a Cancer Epidemiology Dashboard aimed to revolutionize how to track and manage cancer patients.

This innovative tool was developed after a recent 10 year retrogressive study conducted at JOOTRH by Dr. Odeny among cancer patients in Kisumu County revealed an alarming trend of at least 59% of cancer patients Lost To Follow Up (LTFU) within the first year of care. This stark finding, coupled with a low five year survival rate of just 9% highlights barriers to a sustained cancer treatment.

From the 3,438 analyzed patients, in the study, it was revealed that over half were lost to follow up within a year, leaving their treatment incomplete and outcomes uncertain. Advanced stage diagnosis a reality for many patients further compounds the problem as delays in care exacerbate the already severe prognosis.

According to Dr. Odeny, the platform consolidates critical data on patient demographics, cancer types, stages of diagnosis, treatment timelines, and outcomes. ”The real time capabilities allow healthcare providers to track patient journey, flagging those at risk of dropping out of care and facilitating timely interventions.”

By offering a comprehensive view of each patient’s care journey, the tool allows clinicians to focus on areas most in need of improvement. It also provides an avenue for the hospital to identify systematic weaknesses, like gaps in early diagnosis and follow up protocols.

The innovative dashboard is one of the technological advancements in the health sector that will help in addressing the root cause of LTFU and enabling data driven decisions, especially at JOOTRH setting a precedent for tackling similar challenges in other regions. For instance, the tool support tailored outreach programs aimed at re engaging patients who have missed appointments, while also helping to streamline the follow up process for newly diagnosed patients.

As cancer cases are on the rise, and resources become over stretched, great innovations come in handy. Such tools that enable tracking of LTFU ensures that there are fewer patients falling through the cracks. This also is a step towards creating a future where early detection, sustained treatment and improved survival for cancer patients become a norm.