By ILYANA Sithole, ZIMBA WAVE MEDIA. Harare
“61 out of every 100000 women in Zimbabwe are being diagnosed with cervical cancer annually”, says WHO (World Health Organisation). Many people in and around Zimbabwe are suffering and dying unnecessarily due to lack of awareness, resources and access to affordable and quality cancer services.
H.E First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Auxillia Mnangagwa was in Gokwe and Masvingo in January in line with the WHO (World Health Organisation) 3 year campaign, “Close the Care Gap” providing cancer screening, treatment and awareness in her outreach program which sought to close the knowledge gap associated with cancers.
Between 2022 and 2024 World Cancer day focus was to “Close the Care Gap” and this year was the third and final year of the campaign. For this year the theme running is “Together we Challenge those in Power”.
The cancer situation in Zimbabwe and Africa at large is really depressing. There is a need to demur leaders who have failed to take initiative like the First Lady to make cancer prevention/cure a priority; investing in the fight against cancer.
In Zimbabwe, common cancers are breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal and liver. Crucially prioritizing regular screenings, spreading awareness and empowering one another in the fight against cancer can make a difference and help reduce the numbers of cancer patients.
Cancer is noted worldwide as the second leading cause of death. Over the years it has turned to be a major health concern as it is a silent killer that requires early diagnosis.
Early diagnosis saves lives and up to 50% of cancers can be prevented by healthy living.
This year’s theme demands that issues of inequalities should be addressed so that everyone can have access to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and therapeutic care.
In this fight against cancer, people should never underestimate the power of unity and collective action. If you do not have money to donate towards the cause then the least one could do is spread awareness of the silent killer; causes, signs and symptoms, importance of early detection and timely treatment to prevent or cure various cancers.
Leading causes of cancer;
tobacco
alcohol
infections
obesity
air pollution
Signs and symptoms;
unable to wee, or has blood in their wee
an unexplained lump, firmness or swelling
persistent abdominal pain or swelling
unexplained seizures or change in behavior
back pain or bone pain that doesn’t go away
headache that doesn’t go away.
Among a variety of others.
Reduce your risk of cancer by;
refraining from tobacco use
maintaining a healthy weight
limiting alcohol consumption
eating more fruits and vegetables
exercising regularly
This year’s theme calls upon everyone to come together regardless of socioeconomic status, geographic location, age and gender to reinforce pleas to leadership so that the populace get equal opportunity to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
newsroom@zimbawavemedia.co.uk
