Chronicle Editor
Sibongile Ndiweni, Sunday Life Reporter
ACTRESS and media personality Tinopona Katsande has admitted that death was her first thought when she first received her diagnosis for cervical cancer, but her outlook improved when medical professionals assured her that the ailment could be treated as it had been identified at an early stage.
Katsande was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
In typical Tin Tin fashion, the vivacious radio presenter has used her condition, which she announced publicly in September, to spread all round awareness about cervical cancer.
Such campaigns are not new to Tin Tin, as she has used her social media accounts over the last few years to bring attention to female reproductive health challenges by sharing her life with endometriosis. This is a condition defined medically as resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain, especially associated with menstruation. Many women who have the condition experience extreme period pain and are unable to function normally for a few days.
In an interview with Sunday Life, Tin Tin said she is encouraging all women in the country aged between 35 and 50 to go and get tested for cancer to avoid having to battle with it in their journey of life.
Like HIV, Tin Tin observed that cancer is not a death sentence as one can still lead a happy life after diagnosis.
“At the onset of hearing the big C diagnosis, I think anyone who is not even thinking along those lines goes into shock and panic. When I was diagnosed with cancer I immediately felt like I had been ushered on to death but when the doctor told me that they diagnosed it at an early stage and that the prognosis was good, I became calm. Even though it took me a few weeks before disclosing it to my family and friends, the support I got from them after letting them know made me strong and determined to face the battle head on. Then later I disclosed it to the public as a way to explain myself and cut off the misinformation from the ground,” she said.
Tin Tin expressed that even though challenges might come, the Government of Zimbabwe is doing its best at its hospitals although cases of cancer patients countrywide are prevalent and a bit overwhelming for the health system. She said she had been fortunate enough to be able to get her treatment from the many private cancer centres that are available in Harare.
“I say this all the time and I will keep saying it. I believe I am one of the luckiest and most loved celebrities in Zimbabwe even though I’m not all up in the face of the people anymore. The greatest support I have received is from fans and supporters. My social media platforms are perpetually flooded with positive and encouragement messages. I’m so grateful and pray that such love be extended to everyone who needs it”, she said.
Online Reporter