Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
LATE presentation of cancer cases continues to be a major hurdle confronting the medical fraternity in the country as most patients only seeking help when the disease reaches advanced stages.
Island Hospice and Healthcare’s Mutare branch coordinator, Mrs Alice Dube said delays diagnosis limits treatment options, increases complexity and cost of care.
Mrs Dube said the trend is worrying as many lives can be saved through early screening and timely medical intervention.
“Most patients come to us when the disease has already advanced. By that time, treatment options would be limited, and care becomes more complex and resource-intensive,” she said, adding that geographical barriers were another major factor affecting access to timely healthcare, especially for rural patients.
“Reaching patients in outlying areas like Nyanga, Chipinge, or Buhera is costly and logistically challenging. Yet these are the communities that need our services the most,” said Mrs Dube.
As a result, Island Hospice and Healthcare has rolled out a month-long series of free health education, awareness, and screening programmes in October as part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The initiative aims to promote early detection, reduce stigma, and improve access to life-saving information and services.
Mrs Dube said the programmes are being implemented through community outreach events, workplace wellness visits, and partnerships with local hospitals and clinics, ensuring that people from all walks of life benefit.
“We are conducting health education and awareness talks on breast and prostate cancers, as well as mental health. These sessions are held before screenings and are designed to equip participants with vital knowledge on risk factors, symptoms, and importance of regular check-ups,” she said, adding that these activities are strategically planned to reach both urban and rural communities, encouraging people to prioritise preventive healthcare.
“Our activities are delivered through workplace wellness visits, community outreaches, and health education campaigns. We want people to know that early detection saves lives, and that screening should not be feared,” said Mrs Dube.
As part of this year’s awareness drive, Island Hospice is placing strong emphasis on breast self-awareness and professional screening.
“We teach women and men the importance of breast self-awareness, knowing how their breasts normally look and feel. Regular self-checks help people notice changes early, prompting them to seek medical advice before it’s too late,” she said.
Mrs Dube also encouraged the public to undergo clinical breast examinations performed by trained healthcare workers during outreach programmes to detect abnormalities hard to identify through self-examination.
On the causes of breast cancer, Mrs Dube said there is no single cause, but rather a combination of factors.
“Breast cancer results from a mix of genetic, hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. It develops when cells in the breast begin to grow abnormally and uncontrollably, forming a lump or mass. These abnormal cells can spread to nearby tissues or other parts of the body if left untreated,” she said, urging communities to adopt healthier lifestyles by maintaining balanced diets, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol intake – which are key preventive measures that lower the risk of breast and prostate cancers.
Island Hospice and Healthcare works closely with the Ministry of Health and Child Care and other medical institutions to ensure continuity of care for cancer patients.
The integrated approach allows patients and their families to receive holistic care that caters to their physical, emotional, and psychological needs.
Despite its commitment, Island Hospice continues to face funding constraints, which affect its ability to sustain outreach programmes and provide home-based care.
“Palliative care requires consistent funding for medicines, transport, and staff. We rely heavily on donations and fundraising activities to keep our services running,” said Mrs Dube, while appealing to individuals, organisations, and the private sector to assist through financial donations, volunteering, and partnerships that support mobile clinics and community caregiver training.
Mrs Dube reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to empower communities through knowledge and compassion, noting that no patient should suffer in silence due to lack of information or access.
