A healthy woman means a wealthy nation

heralding the start of the rain season.

But traditionally and for many Zimbabwean women, the time to plant groundnuts is as soon as the first rain drops touch the ground.
However, for some two women known to ZWRCN who are currently stuck in Harare for medical treatment, every rainy day is a huge loss because the doctor said they are not yet fit to go back to their fields.
The months of September and October mark the Cervical Cancer and Breast Cancer Awareness months respectively, whilst whilst October 17 marks the International Day of Eradication of Poverty, what a coincidence!
This week we look at Women’s health and the economy, with particular focus on the cancer disease.
Women’s contribution to economic productivity cannot be overemphasised. At any stage of their lives, women’s health can have an impact on their various roles as professionals, entrepreneurs, workers, caregivers, mothers or homemakers etc.
These roles have both direct and indirect effects on the country’s economic growth.
Among a myriad of challenges affecting women’s productivity, female related diseases including cancer, reduce their physical capacities, such as strength and endurance, as well as their mental capacities like cognitive functioning and reasoning ability. The worst impact is loss of life among women through cancer-related deaths.
Statistics from the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe indicate that cancer is now killing more people than HIV and Aids, TB and Malaria combined globally.
Each year more than 12,7 million cancer cases are diagnosed globally more than 7,6 million deaths are recorded.
An estimated 56 percent of cancer cases and 64 percent of the deaths occur in the developing world, according to (GLOBOCAN 2008).
Zimbabwe sees, on average, 7 000-cancer cases each year and only a fraction of these – some 700 to 1 500 is treated and the rate of HIV-related cancers is at 60 percent.
The Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry figures also show that of the 3 349 of cancer diagnosed, 42,7 percent are males and 57,3 percent are females (2007 figures).
Statistics also indicate that the most common cancers affecting women are cervical cancer (33 percent), breast cancer (9,9 percent) and Kaposi sarcoma (9,3 percent).
Whilst it is said cancer can be prevented, a look at some of the causes of cancer will give a clearer picture of women’s chances of preventing it.
Research indicates that cancer can be caused by several factors, among them, increases with age, family history of a certain cancer in first degree relative.
These include parents, siblings or children, improper diet, drinking and smoking, exposure to certain viruses such as some strains of Human Papilloma Virus, Hepatitis B and C, HIV, Chronic stress, Environmental Factors and Harmful cultural practices.
For many people, particularly women, most of these causes are almost unavoidable due to existing gender biases.
As for the age risk factor and the genetic risk factors, both women and men cannot avoid because no one has control over their biological makeup.
The cost of preventing and treating cancer is way beyond what most women who live on less than US$1 can afford.
At a recent Gender and Development (GAD) Talk held by the Zimbabwe Women’s Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN), in collaboration with the Cancer Association if Zimbabwe, the cost of Cancer diagnosis, prevention and treatment were explored.
Participants at this event said that with the current economic hardship, it is difficult for most women to sustain a healthy diet, lead a stress-free lifestyle or to afford regular diagnosis.
Speaking at this event, the National Cancer Alliance of Zimbabwe executive director, Dr Nelson Ngwaru, said early diagnosis makes treatment simpler and increases chances of survival.
However, an analysis of the costs involved in cancer screening and treatment (chemotherapy, Pap smear and mammogram) painted a depressing picture given the current status of women’s financial muscle in Zimbabwe.
According to Tafadzwa Chigariro, the cancer Association of Zimbabwe’s Knowledge manager, a Pap smear, which is a diagnosis of Cervical Cancer, costs US$25 at Government hospitals, whilst private hospitals charge between US$45 and US$50.
If early detection is to happen, every woman should budget for a regular Pap smear, according to medical experts.
Add to that, a mammogram to detect Breast Cancer costs US$66 at Government hospitals or one has to pay US$70-US$120 at private clinics.
Common Treatment for Cervical Cancer (Cisplatin 5 Fu 500mg Paclitaxel) costs US$1 890 for six sessions, whilst a five-year treatment for breast cancer (Tamoxifem) costs and US$1 800, said Chigariro.
Cancer treatment involves several procedures including Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiation therapy, Immuno/biologic therapy, Palliative care and complementary therapies to support conventional medicine.
All these incur costs that bear heavily on affected women, their families and the nation.
So, apart from direct medical costs including the costs of purchasing and maintaining related health care equipment, the country suffer indirect morbidity costs, that is, the cost of lost productivity due to illness, as well as indirect mortality costs – cost of lost productivity due to premature deaths.
If indeed early detection saves life, then early empowerment of women saves the economy!
The Zimbabwe Women Resource Centre and Network (ZWRCN) is an information-based organisation committed to gender equality and equity.
The organisation promotes women’s rights and empowerment by advocating for social and economic justice in Zimbabwe and globally. We would like to hear your views on this issue and more to come.

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