MORE awareness programmes on men’s health especially cancers and mental health should be initiated in Zimbabwean communities to fight the spread of the diseases, Cimas chief executive Vulindlela Ndlovu has said.
Speaking during the Cimas iGo half marathon meant to raise funds for prostate cancer treatment in Harare on Sunday this week, Ndlovu expressed hope that the awareness campaigns will help to raise issues on the Movember — the men’s movement.
Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death in men, not only in Zimbabwe but the whole world.
“I think it is an opportunity for us to communicate and encourage men and also raise awareness on issues about men's health. It's about the diseases that affect men, your prostate cancer but also it's about mental health.
“When you talk about cancers, it's about encouraging early screening, encouraging people to screen regularly because with cancers you know that the earlier you can detect it, the higher the chances of treating it, so that is what we are encouraging,” he said.
Ndlovu said men were reluctant to open up on issues of mental health hence the growing need to raise awareness on the disease.
“On mental health, I think there's a growing awareness that mental health issues affect all of us and with men quite often they are less reluctant to seek help earlier,” he said.
“This is about saying all of us need to seek help when there are mental health issues. In fact, we need to regularly speak to counsellors so that we understand at any point in time you can face some mental health challenges.”
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At least 1 400 people registered for the Cimas iGo half marathon.
Proceeds from the marathon will go to the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (Caz) to assist in prostate cancer treatment.
Speaking at the event, Caz general manager Junior Mavu thanked Cimas for assisting them and making it possible for them to offer services.
“The money that's raised from this Cimas iGo marathon goes to patient support and when I mean patient support, it's when we buy chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients, those that cannot afford, among other related services,” he said.
“Prostate cancer is the number one cause of death among men in Zimbabwe. It's very prevalent and back then, we used to say 50 years and above, but now because younger men are also being diagnosed from 40 going up, especially those with a history of prostate cancer in the family.
“As we support cancer patients, we also support men, so it's men and women who are also supported by the grant (from Cimas).”
