adminLovemore Makurirofa
The World Cancer Day (WCD) was born out of the Paris Charter that was adopted at the World Summit against Cancer for the New Millennium on February 4 2000.
The Charter was designed to promote research for curing, preventing, improving patient services, sensitising common opinion and mobilising the global community against cancer.
Article 10 of the Charter set February 4 as World Cancer Day so that the Charter of Paris would remain in the hearts and minds of people around the world.
As the world commemorates WCD this year under the theme “I am and I will”, it is imperative for us to share information about the current cancer situation in Zimbabwe so that we all work together in reducing the national cancer burden.
A lot can be done in areas of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and care.
In particular, this year’s WCD theme — I am and I will — challenges us to bear in mind that each one of us has a role to play in fighting cancer.
In essence, it calls us to realise our potential and make a personal commitment to reduce the national cancer burden.
Cancer is now acknowledged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Zimbabwe, with over 7 000 new cancer cases and over 2 000 deaths being recorded per year.
It continues to be on the increase in Zimbabwe.
According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry’s Annual Report for 2015, a total of 7165 cases — comprising 3 041 males (42,4 percent) and 4 124 females (57,6 percent) — were reported.
Also, a total of 250 childhood cancers — 147 boys (58,3 percent) and 105 girls (41,7 percent) were registered in the same year.
The number of deaths recorded in 2015 in Harare were 2 651.
The five leading cancers in Zimbabwe are: cancer of the cervix, prostate, breast, kaposi sarcoma, non-melanoma skin cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
These alarming statistics are, however, widely acknowledged as conservative as many cancer cases escape the National Health Information System (NHIS) because many patients do not seek modern treatment due to myths and misconceptions about cancer.
Further, it is believed that all deaths attributable to the disease are not captured as many patients die before being diagnosed due to highly centralised cancer screening and unaffordable diagnosis services.
The few patients who present themselves for treatment usually do so very late when cancer is at advanced stages, resulting in little chances of treatment success.
Summary of the cancer situation in Zimbabwe
Decentralisation of cervical cancer screening services by Government and its partners.
Cancer Association of Zimbabwe is very supportive of this initiative and, therefore, urges more partners to come on board and help in providing this important service to rural communities.
Continued increase in new cancer cases (incidence).
Cancer is becoming a generalised disease unlike before and increase in cancer cases among the general population of Zimbabwe is putting pressure on the available cancer service centres and public health institutions.
HIV-related cancers are on the increase.
In fact, almost 60 percent of all new cancer cases are HIV and AIDS-related.
Most of the reported cancer cases are diagnosed late.
In fact, 80 percent of the cases are reported very late at the health institutions, resulting in less chances of treatment success and high cost of treatment. Early detection and appropriate treatment not only improves prognosis, but also reduces the cost of treatment.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions on cancer among the general population of Zimbabwe.
These myths and misconceptions are acting as barriers to cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment.
The most common myth is that cancer cannot be treated using the conventional treatment methods and this often results in patients presenting their cases late.
Though not ascertained as of now, it cannot be doubted that some of the cancer patients are falling prey to some individuals who claim to cure cancer using unproven treatment and unapproved treatment methods. We, therefore, urge cancer clients to make sure that they get the right treatment advice from accredited medical practitioners.
Late commencement of treatment even when diagnosed of cancer due to both myths and misconceptions on cancer treatment and unaffordability of the cost of treatment.
Cancer education, screening, diagnosis and treatment services remain highly centralised in major towns.
Hidden cost of cancer.
Despite the fact that cancer diagnosis and treatment cost is relatively high, there are other “hidden costs” to cancer that the poor and rural cancer patients have to endure. These hidden costs include:
- The cost of travelling long distances to access cancer screening and treatment services.
- Accommodation and meals in urban areas during diagnosis and treatment far way from home.
Recommendations for the national cancer intervention
Extensive cancer education programmes to counter the current myths and misconceptions about cancer which are acting as barriers to cancer prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.
Subsidised cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment services and improving the capacity of provincial and district public health institutions in cancer management.
National Cancer Policy
Decentralisation of cancer information dissemination, screening, diagnosis and treatment services
Multi-sectoral approach in the management of cancer
Sustainable financial resource mobilisation for comprehensive national cancer programmes.
More local research on cancer is required to guide national cancer intervention.
Cancer knows no boundary; we, therefore, need to come together as one in order to win the fight against cancer.
We have to make our individual personal commitment to fighting cancer in Zimbabwe.
If we all do that and translate all our commitments into action, we will win the fight against cancer.
Mr Lovemore Makurirofa is the information and research officer at the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe. He was responding to questions from The Sunday Mail reporter Sharon Munjenjema.
Online Reporter