Call to increase investment in cancer screening and treatment

Survivors of breast cancer have called on the Government to investing more resources to the  fight against cancer whose prevalence continues to rise in different communities who have less or no access to screening, treatment facilities.

Most cancer screening facilities are located in urban areas, leaving a majority of women in rural areas without access.

This was echoed by Angela Makore, a  breast cancer survivor who said the situation  would be better if cancer services were prioritised like other killer diseases in Zimbabwe.

Makore said she  finally braved screening when she started feeling some pain and is grateful that doctors managed to save  her life.

“I was one of those who did not bother going for medical check-ups  even when I suspected that something was wrong, until my breast had to be cut after it developed cancer. I had heard about the importance of examining our  breasts as women but I was in denial as I thought cancer was the result of witchcraft,” she said.

Makore added that her life has never been the same again after diagnosis. She highlighted that this has motivated her to encourage members of the public to access early screening so as to avoid cancer related complications.

“Cancer medication is quite expensive and for ordinary citizens like us, it can be out of reach as the economy has not been performing well. I sometimes struggle to buy medication but my family has been supportive which gives me the urge to continue fighting and being positive. Cancer may lead to depression and the  treatment process can weaken the system especially if one is discouraged,” she said.

Makore said although the media is awash with awareness messages during the month of October, the awareness will yield nothing if policy makers do not make deliberate efforts to ensure cancer screening and treatment is accessible in all public institutions.

“As they say prevention is better than cure, women and even men must take medical screening seriously, we have passed that era where it was taboo to just walk into a clinic and ask to be examined. I also call on our leaders to invest more in screening facilities so that most women in rural areas who are likely to be affected are screened and treated in case they have cancer, “ she added.

Dr Tatenda Simango said most women with breast cancer are diagnosed in late stages due to lack of awareness on early detection and barriers to health services.

“Early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured,” she said.

Dr Simango emphasized that if detected late, curative treatment is often no longer an option. In such cases, palliative care to relieve the suffering of patients and their families is needed.

These sentiments come at a time when the world is commemorating Breast Cancer awareness month.