Joshua Muswere, Zimpapers Reporter
BULAWAYO women have been urged to make regular breast health checks a priority and seek medical attention when they notice unusual changes, as a breast cancer awareness programme highlighted the importance of early diagnosis.
The event, organised by R263 Pilates on the outskirts of Bulawayo as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, brought together women for discussions on breast cancer, its risk factors, early detection and mental health.
Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Vimbai Moyana Muguto said breast cancer remained a major health concern in Zimbabwe, with many women needing to be more alert to symptoms and seek medical help early.
She said the disease was a significant burden in sub-Saharan Africa, where many patients are diagnosed at advanced stages, making treatment more difficult.
“Globally, at least 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and that is a big number. Coming back to Zimbabwe, we can see that breast cancer has become the second most common cancer among Zimbabwean women after cervical cancer, becoming a big menace to women,” she said.
Dr Muguto said breast cancer was also affecting relatively young women in Zimbabwe, making it important for them to understand their bodies and recognise changes that may require medical attention.
She encouraged women to examine their breasts regularly and seek professional advice if they noticed lumps or other unusual changes.
“It is important for us to screen and seek help at surgeries, clinics and hospitals. It is important for us to examine ourselves every month, and we recommend that you do that after your period so that you can pick up any breast lumps or changes in your breasts and act on them in time,” she said.
Dr Muguto also urged women to understand their family medical history and discuss their risk factors with healthcare professionals.
“If you are at a high risk of breast cancer, you need to go and be assessed and develop a schedule on how to do mammograms and ultrasound scans, depending on your age. This is our recommendation: let us act on it, let us fight together and make sure that we take care of our health,” she said.
Warning signs of breast cancer include a new lump in the breast or armpit, changes in breast size or shape, dimpling of the skin, nipple changes and unusual discharge. Although not every change indicates cancer, women should have suspicious symptoms assessed by a healthcare professional.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends early diagnosis and timely treatment as key measures in reducing deaths from breast cancer. Where access to routine mammography screening is limited, raising awareness of symptoms and ensuring that women receive prompt medical assessment remain important.
The programme also addressed the psychological effects of breast cancer, with United Bulawayo Hospital counselling psychologist and mental wellness consultant Angeline Zenda Ncube highlighting the benefits of Pilates for mental well-being.
Ncube said the exercise helped participants focus on their breathing and movements, allowing them to manage stress and concentrate on the present moment.
“What I love about Pilates is that it is more of a mind-and-body connection type of exercise, which really ties in with mental health. When you come to do your Pilates, you really have to concentrate and go through breathing exercises, asking you to hold in your core and concentrate, which forces you to be present, and that helps the mind clear from stresses,” she said.
She said the practice encouraged mindfulness, which helps people focus on the present rather than becoming overwhelmed by anxiety and everyday problems.
“That really helps because it assists with mindfulness, what we call mindfulness in psychology. Basically, that teaches the mind to be present rather than thinking of anxiety and problems. That is how important Pilates is,” she said.
A breast cancer diagnosis can affect a patient’s emotional well-being, relationships and quality of life. Counselling, peer support and care from family members can help patients cope with the challenges associated with diagnosis and treatment.
According to the WHO, an estimated 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide in 2022, while about 670 000 people died from the disease. In parts of Africa, patients continue to be diagnosed at advanced stages, when treatment is often more complex.
Studies across sub-Saharan Africa have identified several factors that contribute to delays in diagnosis, including limited awareness of symptoms, fear, stigma, financial constraints and difficulties accessing healthcare services. Delays can also occur after patients first visit a health facility, particularly when referrals and diagnostic investigations take time.
In Zimbabwe, breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women after cervical cancer, according to the National Cancer Plan 2025–2030. The plan, which draws on national cancer registry data, also records an increase in breast cancer cases, with a substantial burden among women aged between 30 and 60.
Health experts encourage women to seek medical attention whenever they notice persistent or unusual breast changes, regardless of their age. Breast self-awareness can help women identify changes, but self-examination alone cannot diagnose cancer or replace clinical assessment.
The need for early diagnosis also places responsibility on health services to ensure that women with suspicious symptoms can access examinations, diagnostic investigations and treatment without unnecessary delays.
Through its combination of breast health education, exercise and discussions on mental wellness, the R263 Pilates programme encouraged women to take a more active role in looking after their health.
With early diagnosis and appropriate treatment, many breast cancers can be treated successfully. Women are encouraged to seek medical advice when they notice changes and to support others in doing the same.
