Dr Mary Nyangasi

Dr. Mary Nyangasi, MBChB (UON), MPH (Kenyatta University), PGCert (Graduate Institute Geneve), MSc Transformative Oncology candidate (University of Manchester)

I am a medical doctor and global health practitioner with a 13-year career experience spanning clinical oncology and expanding into cancer policy, programming, leadership, and governance. I have recently joined WHO Global Cancer Team as a technical lead for the Global Breast Cancer Initiative. I most recently served for 5 years as the Head of the National Cancer Control Program in Kenya where I led the formulation and implementation of various cancer policy documents notably: Kenya’s Cancer Policy 2019-2030, The National Palliative Care Policy 2021-2030, two National Cancer Control Strategies, Breast Cancer Action Plan 2021-2025 and various guidelines.

Among my major achievements, I led the scale-up of cervical and breast cancer screening programs, the establishment of regional cancer treatment centers, the strengthening of cancer services at the national referral facilities, the expansion of access to cancer medicines, and chaired the first Kenya National Cancer Taskforce in 2021. I have published in peer-reviewed journals and am a member of the International Cancer Control Plans (ICCP) Steering Committee, Kenya Society of Hematology and Oncology (KESHO), African Organization of Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a commissioner with the Kenyan Chapter of the NCD Poverty Index. My areas of interest include NCD/Cancer Policy, Preventive Oncology, Women’s Cancers, Health Systems and Governance, access to medicines, and palliative care among others. I am self-driven, passionate, a team player, always keen to learn and deliver as per work targets.  Besides work, I also love to read books, cook and try new menus, travel and explore new places, network, and socialize and mentorship activities.