Online Reporter
Sifelani Tsiko
Fact Check Editor
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Zimbabwe, with an age-standardised rate (ASR) of 73.7 per 100 000, according to a 30–year study published by the International Journal of Cancer this year.
According to a research report titled: “Trends in the incidence of cancers of the breast and female genital tract in Harare, Zimbabwe 1990 – 2019,” mortality from the disease has been driven primarily by HPV and exacerbated by high HIV prevalence.
Between 1990 and 2019, researchers assessed incidence trends in a female population living in urban areas based on the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry in Harare over a 30-year period.
The results highlight increasing trends in the incidence of breast, vulva, corpus uteri, and, until recently, cervix cancer.
“These trends appear to be related to population-level lifestyle changes (fertility, obesity, and contraception) and exposure to HIV and HPV infections. The findings provide important insights into future trends and guidance for cancer control priorities,” according to the International Journal of Cancer.
“The incidence of cervix cancer is very high (ASR of 73.7 per 10 5) and has increased at a rate of 1 percent annually over the period, although remaining stable in the most recent 15years; the increase involves mainly women born between 1950 and 1970.”
Cancer experts said contrary to what has been observed in most high – income countries, the incidence of cancer of the cervix remains high in most of sub-Saharan Africa.
The incidence is relatively high by global standards concurrent with the increasing incidence of cancers of the breast and corpus uteri are notable trends of population risk factors such as rising obesity rates and declining fertility.
In the 30 – year period, cancer of the cervix uteri had 6 431 cases registered, with the incidence in Harare very high, with an ASR of 78.9 per 100 000.
Overall, rates have been increasing, the ASR increased at an average annual rate of 1.0 percent.
Examining the trends according to age shows that rates in the youngest age group (25–34) remained constant, with larger increases (around 1,6 percent annually) in the middle age range (35–54) and a slower increase (around 0.7% annually) in older women (55+).
Trends by birth cohort suggest that the increases in age specific rates are greatest in women born between 1950 and 1970, with rather little change in earlier, or more recent, generations.
An estimated 3 000 new cases are diagnosed in the country each year. Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide, killing more than 300 000 women annually, according to the World Health Organisation.
In low – and middle-income regions like Zimbabwe and sub-Saharan Africa, it is the most common cancer in women and often claims lives due to late diagnoses and limited screening.
Zimbabwe’s health sector is actively fighting cervical cancer through a multi-pronged strategy that includes mass screenings, self-sampling HPV kits, and the rollout of the HPV vaccine for young girls.
