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Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
ZIMBABWE has been challenged to sustain its efforts in dealing with the scourge of drug and substance abuse and invest in cancer prevention initiatives after revelations that 27 percent of cancer deaths globally are a result of tobacco and alcohol use.
The country joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Cancer Day on 4 February, with the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry saying 80 percent of cancer cases are reported when they are in their advanced stages.
Mr Lovemore Makurirofa from the Information, Research and Evaluation Unit at the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe said various cancers arise from the abuse of substances.
“Tobacco and alcohol use account for 27 percent of the cancer deaths globally. Reducing the rates of tobacco and alcohol use including drug and substance abuse will significantly decrease the global cancer burden. Alcohol use has been linked to cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, bowel, liver and breast,” he said.
He said significant gaps in cancer knowledge persist across Zimbabwe, perpetuated by widespread myths and misconceptions and lack of comprehensive national cancer awareness programme.
“The Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry (ZNCR) reports that over 80 percent of cancer cases in 2019 were diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited and less effective. Since at least one-third of all cancers are preventable, championing healthy lifestyle choices is essential. Increase in cancer awareness can empower people to recognise early warning signs, make informed choices about their health and counter their own fears and misconceptions about cancer,” he said.
The association is, however, calling for early detection, treatment and palliative care services in a bid to ensure better outcomes in treatment of cancer patients.
They also noted that over the years, Zimbabwe has improved accessibility to screening of common cancers particularly cervical cancer in women. However, they said there are still pronounced gaps in the provision of screening for other common cancers such as prostate, breast and colon cancers.
“Prohibitive user fees, unavailability, centralisation of cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services reduce accessibility to these vital lifesaving cancer services. Life-saving cancer diagnosis and treatment should be equal for all — no matter who you are, your level of education, level of income or where you live in the world. The availability, affordability and accessibility of cancer services need to be improved,” said Mr Makurirofa.
Furthermore, he said early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care services should be accessible to every citizen. This is important in protecting individuals and families from financial hardship emanating from out-of-pocket medical expenditures.
Turning to availability, affordability and accessibility of essential cancer medicine, CAZ said most of the common cancers in Zimbabwe can be treated.
“However, the cost of medication is unbearable for patients. Cancer medicines are mostly available in private pharmacies where prices are pegged in foreign currency. Very few patients are covered through private health insurance which partially covers the medication expenses. Most patients pay for their medication through out-of-pocket expenditures resulting in failure to even commence or to complete the prescribed treatment regimes,” he lamented.
CAZ further said living a healthy lifestyle is helpful in reducing the risks of developing cancers. They noted that being overweight and obesity are strongly linked with an increased risk of bowel, breast, uterine, ovarian, pancreatic, oesophagus, kidney and gallbladder cancer later in life.
In order to protect those that are vulnerable, the association said social protection such as Assisted Medical Treatment Orders (AMTOS), medical travel warrants and food vouchers for vulnerable cancer patients such as patients without medical insurance, persons with disabilities, children and the elderly seeking cancer treatment, must be revived and sustained.
They said speeding up the national health insurance processes will improve access to cancer services.
“Cancer control is both capital and technologically intensive hence the need for sustainable local and international fundraising initiatives.
“It makes a lot of economic sense for a nation to invest in cancer prevention and control rather than dealing with the consequences. Failure to invest in cancer prevention means that the nation will not be able to cope with the increase in the cancer cases and this will retard development due to increased health spending,” added Mr Makurirofa.
They applauded the Government’s investment in cancer prevention and control which will lead to increased productivity and improved quality of life. “Introduction of sugar taxes by the government of Zimbabwe is a step in the right direction bearing in mind the current dwindling of external health funding. Ringfencing these funds for health is important in ensuring universal access to cancer services in Zimbabwe,” he said. — @NyembeziMu
Bongani Ndlovu