adminDaisy Jeremani Gender Editor
Cervical and breast cancer can be contained if women make it a habit to go for routine screening so that the disease can be detected and treated early.Speaking at an Africa Day celebration organised recently for women by Multichoice Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, Jean Clarke, a cancer survivor for 25 years, said women should make their health a priority.
Clarke had her first mastectomy for her right breast in 1990 and the cancer went into remission. It recurred in 1997.
“The key is early treatment because during that time there was no chemotherapy, but I was treated and with positive thinking I’m still here,” she said.
Mastectomy is the surgical removal of a breast.
Clarke who is also founder of Reach for Recovery Breast Cancer Volunteers called upon women to reach out and get help and counselling on positive living from survivors.
She also bemoaned the high cost of chemotherapy, saying many cancer patients could not afford the costs which are pegged at $150 per session.
A cancer patient requires several sessions of chemotherapy and the treatment lasts for a number of months.
There have been calls for the government to establish a multi-sectoral response to the disease as cancer is now killing more people globally than Aids, tuberculosis and malaria combined.
In Zimbabwe, 7,000 cancer cases are recorded each year.
Speaking at the same event, an official from DStv Bongi Masuku said women should not wait for the breast cancer month to talk about cancer.
“This is how Dstv chose to treat its female subscribers, not only by giving them information that is critical to their health, but also treat them to a great Africa Day celebration,” she said.
Women were treated to music and dance and gifts and shopping vouchers from Tilus, a local supermarket chain. They were also pampered with body massages, manicures and pedicures at the event.
Online Reporter