September is a month that carries a double meaning. Around the world, it marks both Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, two very different cancers that share one important thing in common: they are often found late, simply because their early signs are quiet or easy to overlook.

In Kenya, that matters more than many people realise. Cancer is now one of our leading causes of death: each year an estimated 35,900 Kenyans are diagnosed and about 22,900 die. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among Kenyan men, and around 7 in 10 cancers here are still diagnosed at an advanced stage, when they are harder to treat.

At the KAVI Institute of Clinical Research (KAVI-ICR), University of Nairobi, we believe awareness is one of our most powerful tools. This month, we are joining the global conversation to help Kenyan families learn the signs, understand their risk, and know when to act.

Ovarian cancer: listen to your body

Ovarian cancer is less common than breast or cervical cancer in Kenya, with around 860 new cases a year, but it is often diagnosed late, which is why it claims so many lives relative to how many are found. It is sometimes called a “silent” disease, but it does whisper. Symptoms such as persistent bloating, feeling full very quickly, ongoing tummy or pelvic discomfort, or needing to pass urine more often can be easy to dismiss as everyday complaints. The key is persistence: when these symptoms are new and last more than a few weeks, they are worth checking.

There is no routine screening test for ovarian cancer, which is exactly why awareness matters so much. Knowing what is normal for you makes you more likely to notice when something changes—and act early.

Prostate cancer: break the silence

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in Kenya, with roughly 3,600 new cases every year. Yet many men are diagnosed at an advanced stage, largely because early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. Talking about prostate health is not always comfortable, but a simple conversation with a healthcare provider can make a real difference. When found early, there are more options and better outcomes.

Men from the age of 45, or earlier for those with a family history, are encouraged to talk to a healthcare provider about what is right for them and to encourage the men around them to do the same.

Cancer can run in families.

There is something many people do not realise: a share of ovarian and prostate cancers are linked to inherited changes in genes we pass down through generations — the same genes often discussed in breast cancer. A strong family history, such as several close relatives affected by ovarian, breast or prostate cancer, especially at a younger age, can raise a person’s risk.

This September, one simple action can help: ask your relatives about your family’s health history, write it down, and share it with your healthcare provider so they can advise you. You can read more about the genetics behind this in our companion article on BRCA1/2 here.

When to reach out

You know your body best. If something does not feel right, or if new symptoms persist, do not wait — reach out to a healthcare provider. Awareness, early conversations and knowing your family history are steps everyone can take, and they save lives.

About KAVI-ICR: KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research at the University of Nairobi advances clinical trials, vaccine discovery, immunology and clinical research in East Africa, including research into the genetics of breast, ovarian and prostate cancer in the Kenyan population. Follow us this September as we share information to help Kenyan families understand cancer risk and act early.