THE government has bemoaned the increased burden of cancer in Zimbabwe, with cases and subsequent deaths rising sharply, with experts blaming COVID-19 vaccines, though the claims remain unconfirmed.
Addressing this year’s World Cancer Day commemorations in Karoi recently, Health and Child Care minister Douglas Mombeshora attributed the alarming rise of cancer cases to a combination of factors, including behavioural risk factors, limited access to early diagnosis, inadequate public awareness and lack of adequate awareness on available cancer prevention and screening services.
He said the cancer burden in Zimbabwe was a reality that could not be ignored.
“Over the past decade, we have witnessed a troubling acceleration in cancer cases, with the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry recording doubling cases between the years 2009 to 2019.
“According to the same registry, over 7 000 new cancer cases are diagnosed annually, with women registering 40% cervical cancer and 13% breast cancer, while men have been most affected by prostate cancer, registering 28%.
“In children, cancer has also been devastating, with registered cases of 19% for Leukemia (cancer of the blood), 13% Wilms tumour (cancer of the kidney), 13% Lymphoma, 13% Soft tissue tumours and 11% central nervous system cancers,” he said.
Mombeshora also decried the human cost of the disease affecting individuals, families and communities across the country.
“It is a burden that demands urgent and sustained action as prognosis is usually poor due to limited access, delayed and detection, insufficient treatment and palliative care services,” he said.
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“While my ministry and other key health development partners remain resolute in the fight against cancer, we are reminded of the chilling fact that many more mothers, fathers, sons and daughters fight bravely with limited resources against this disease.
“It is for them, and for future generations, that we must further strengthen our resolve in the fight against cancer,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf by the National Aids Council provincial manager for Mashonaland West province David Nyamurera, chief executive Bernard Madzima said over the years HIV-related cancers had been contributing 40% of all cancers registered in Zimbabwe.
“Evidence has shown that people living with HIV are more likely than others to become sick with non-communicable diseases that include cancer. If untreated, people infected with both HIV and cancer are at risk of developing Aids with increased deaths,” he said.
This year’s Cancer Day theme is United by Unique.
