Congress Announcement

The 3rd Kenyan Psychology Congress (NCP2017) will be held between Nov 20th – Nov 24th, 2017 in Homa Bay, Kenya under the theme: "Cancer Epidemic: A Neglected Health Problem or a Crisis in Slow Motion?"

Globally, it is estimated that Cancer now causes more deaths than HIV, TB and Malaria combined. Some 70% of the global Cancer burden is in low and middle income countries (LMICs) like Kenya. It is further estimated that 30% of cancers are curable if detected early; 30% of cancers are treatable with prolonged survival if detected early; while about 30% of cancer patients can be provided with adequate symptom management and palliative care.
In Kenya, Cancer is the 3rd highest cause of morbidity, after infectious diseases and cardiovascular diseases, and it is estimate that 39,000 new cases of Cancer occur each year in Kenya with more than 27,000 deaths per year from leading cancers, which are Breast cancer (34 per 100,000), and Cervical cancers (25 per 100,000) in women; and Prostate (17 per 100,000), and Esophageal cancer (9 per 100,000) in men. What is more depressing is that 70-80% of cancer cases are diagnosed in late stages, majorly due to lack of awareness; inadequate diagnostic facilities; lack of treatment facilities; high cost of treatment; and high poverty Index

Cancer is the rapid reproduction of irregular cells forming a neoplasm (tumor), which results from a dysfunction in the cell’s DNA; and tumor cells reproduce at different rates, doubling times ranging from 23 to 209 days. Social Scientists have argued that while the medical profession and cancer research institutions attribute most of the cancer increase to genetic and lifestyle factors, carcinogens in our air, water, food, and workplaces are significant causes of cancer. They have criticized the main objective of the fight against cancer, which is to find treatments or cures rather than promoting preventive measures; and contend that many cancers could be prevented if the cancer-causing chemicals were removed from our environment. Psychology is the study of how people think, feel and behave. Consequently, the Psychological Society of Kenya (PSK) in her effort to respond to the complex global cancer threat; is organizing the 2017 Congress as part of the global effort to help raise awareness for the rising cancer epidemic; thus making cancer a higher priority on the global health and development agenda and thereby presenting a united force, together with other actors, against all cancers as a way of saving lives and celebrating life.

Congress Objectives

The 3rd Kenyan Psychology Congress presents an opportunity for the involvement and engagement in, thereby offering a real opportunity to bring together academics, researchers, experts and higher education students of different disciplines, to discuss new issues, and discover the most recent developments and trends in global Cancer epidemic that may inform local prevention and control efforts. This, we believe is crucial, if a lasting solution is to be found.
Specifically, the objectives of the 2017 Congress are to:

1. Provide a platform to address pertinent and emerging issues in cancer epidemic;
2. Improve the quality of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, supportive and palliative care, as well as the follow-up of patients with malignant disorders in Kenya, the rest of Africa and the world;
3. Disseminate knowledge in oncology to cancer patients and the general public;
4. Showcase the psychological dimension for the treatment and prevention of cancer;
5. Facilitate equal access to optimal cancer care to all cancer patients in Kenya, Africa and the world;
6. Establish and maintain liaisons with other oncology specialties, cancer leagues, universities, patient groups and the pharmaceutical industry in order to realistically engage the global Cancer threat.

Congress Topics

The congress programme features plenary keynote addresses with focus on the Congress theme; poster sessions, and scientific sessions each designed to address each of the congress topics as follows, during the week-long gathering of some of the world’s greatest minds in cancer research:

1. The Epidemiology of Cancer: Causes, Incidence, Symtomatology, & Prognosis.
2. Genetics and Cancer
3. Lifestyle and Cancer
4. Nutrition and Cancer
5. Sexuality and Cancer
6. Environment and Cancer
7. Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Cancer
8. Psychological Dimension for Combating Cancer.

Expected Outcome

1. Critical scientific data on Cancer: causes, incidence, symtomatology, prognosis, prevention, & treatment.
2. Policy recommendations emanating from congress presentations and the utilization of these recommendations to strengthen theexisting approaches while developing new ways to fight cancer.
3. Strategic partnerships and lasting networks among scholars, policy makers and other stakeholders in the global fight against cancer.
4. Publication of a position paper on the psychological dimension for the prevention and treatment of cancer.
5. Journal publication and publication of congress proceedings.