Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko-Fact Check Editor
Every October, Zimbabwe joins the rest of the world to run campaigns recognising Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Various organisations, both Government-run and private, will conduct wellness outreach programmes to raise awareness and offer the public an opportunity to receive free screening.
Beyond the ribbons and campaigns, there is a sad reality that continues to jolt the nation.
According to the 2019 Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry report, breast cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women, following cervical cancer, and accounts for approximately 21 percent of all female cancer cases. The disease remains a priority health issue for the country.
What is breast cancer?
In simpler terms, cancer starts with a mutation in the DNA of a normal cell.
That mutation allows the cell to multiply uncontrollably, circumventing the body’s usual quality-control checks. Eventually, a tumour forms and breakaway cells spread to other parts of the body.
Zvikomborero Satuku, a Zimbabwean cancer researcher in a publication, defines breast cancer as a disease that arises primarily in the ducts or lobules of the breast.
“Initially, the cancerous growth is confined to the duct or lobule and is referred to as ‘in situ’, where it typically causes no symptoms and has minimal potential for distant spread (metastasis).
However, over time, these in situ cancers can progress to invasive breast cancer, where the malignant cells invade the surrounding breast tissue. Invasive cancers have a greater potential to spread to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs in the body, most commonly the lungs, liver, bones, or brain.”
What are the key statistics and trends on breast cancer in Zimbabwe?
Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in Zimbabwe, following cervical cancer. Breast cancer is the commonest cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of new cancer cases (2,26 million).
In Zimbabwe, it is the second most common cancer in women after cervical cancer, according to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry 2019 Annual report released in 2022.
Data from the cancer registry report also shows a consistent increase in the number of cases diagnosed.
What is the incidence rate?
A 2019 report noted breast cancer accounts for approximately 21 percent of all female cancer cases. In Zimbabwean black women, the most frequent cancers were cervical cancer (40,8 percent) followed by breast (13,0 percent) and others. The most common cancers in non-black Zimbabwean women were breast (31,4 percent), colon (11,0 percent), and cervix uteri (8,5 percent), among others.
What is the mortality rate?
Cervical and prostate cancers continue to be the leading causes of death among cancer patients in Zimbabwe, according to the delayed 2019 report released by the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry in 2022. A total of 2 416 cancer deaths comprising 1 136 (47 percent) males and 1 280 (53 percent) females were recorded in Harare, Chitungwiza, and Bulawayo in 2019.
The leading causes of the deaths were cervical cancer (12 percent), prostate (11 percent), oesophagus (8 percent), breast (7 percent), liver (6 percent), stomach (5 percent), lung (5 percent), and colorectal (4 percent), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (3 percent). The other cancers constituted 39 percent of the recorded deaths.
Are breast cancer cases increasing?
The Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry has documented a consistent increase in the number of breast cancer cases diagnosed.
What are key statistics and trends globally?
Global breast cancer rates are rising, with a 38 percent increase in new cases and a 68 percent increase in deaths projected by 2050 if current trends continue, according to a February 2025 study in The Lancet.
The disease disproportionately affects low-income countries, and only a few high-income nations are meeting the World Health Organisation’s goal of reducing breast cancer mortality by 2,5 percent annually.
In 2022, there were 2,3 million new cases and 670 000 deaths from female breast cancer. Projections indicate these numbers will grow significantly by 2050.
What are the main contributing factors for the rise in breast cancer cases in Zimbabwe?
Ageing Population: Zimbabwe’s growing older population is expected to contribute to a rise in cancer cases.
HIV/AIDS: The high burden of HIV in Zimbabwe weakens the immune system, increasing the likelihood of certain cancers like breast cancer.
Access to Care: Patients face social and economic challenges in accessing healthcare, leading to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment Gaps: Specialised oncology services are limited to larger cities, and many patients cannot afford to seek treatment outside their local areas.
Late Diagnosis: Delays in seeking care often result in diagnosis at later stages, which affects treatment outcomes.
Need for Awareness
There is an ongoing need to increase awareness about the disease and its symptoms. The Government and some private sector organisations have launched a number of health initiatives to increase cancer screening and awareness programmes to address these challenges.
Solution
Health experts still maintain that early detection and timely intervention are crucial for improving patient outcomes, as the stage of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis is a critical determinant of prognosis. Early-stage breast cancer (stages I and II) is typically associated with higher survival rates compared to advanced-stage disease (stages III and IV). This highlights the importance of awareness, regular screenings, and access to healthcare services, which can significantly impact survival and quality of life for women diagnosed with breast cancer.
Symptoms to look out for include:
Unusual lumps or thickening in the breast or underarm
Changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the breast
Skin irritation or dimpling
Pain in the breast or nipple area
Unexplained discharge from the nipple
Oncologists say early detection through mammograms, ultrasounds, and clinical breast exams can significantly improve outcomes.
By raising awareness, we can help individuals identify potential issues early and seek medical advice.
How can we minimise the risks of breast cancer?
Health experts and some charitable organisations suggest the following to minimise risks of developing breast cancer:
Maintain a healthy weight
Consider consuming traditional whole foods like sadza made from millet or sorghum instead of refined maize meal.
Include leafy greens (covo, rape, spinach, kale), groundnuts, beans, and sweet potatoes.
Avoid excessive fatty “take-away” meals and sugary drinks.
Stay physically active
Consume a balanced diet
Limit alcohol consumption
Quit smoking
Breastfeed
Limit hormone therapy
Get enough rest and manage stress
Regular screening and awareness
Reduce environmental risks
Sources:
https://psmas.co.zw/standing-together-zimbabwes-fight-against-breast-cancer-10-tips-to-minimise-risk/
https://cancerzimbabwe.org/breast_cancer
https://cuz.ac.zw/breast-cancer-awareness-month-educating-supporting-and-taking-action/
2019 Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry Report
WHO Report https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160391
https://awacan.online/news/factors-associated-with-breast-cancer-stage-at-diagnosis-among-women-enrolled-for-the-awacan-ed-study-in-zimbabwe/
