The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
AT least four women in Zimbabwe die of cervical cancer everyday, the United Nations Population Fund assistant country representative, Ms Abigail Msemburi, has said.
She made the remarks last Thursday as Zimbabwe joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Cancer Day at Sakubva Stadium.
The theme for this year’s celebrations was: ‘We can, I can’
Ms Msemburi said it was estimated that four Zimbabwean women die of cancer daily and that most of these women were dying in the prime days of their lives, leaving behind young children and families.
“The cancer disease burden has been greatly influenced by the HIV epidemic and to compound the problem, treatment is beyond the reach of many Zimbabweans,” said Ms Msemburi.
She said as UNFPA and other non-governmental organisations like UKAid, Sweden government and Zimbabwean Government have been working together on the National Cervical Cancer Screening programme since 2010.
She said to date, 128 000 women had been screened of cancers at the 88 sites that were set up to conduct Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Cerviology (VIAC) in different parts of the country.
“It is quite commendable, but we need to set up further sites to ensure that we reach more women with these life-serving screening services,” she said.
According to Ms Msemburi, the significance of investment in cervical cancer can never be overemphasized as it could mean the difference between life or death for a woman.
Cervical cancer accounts for 33,4 percent of all cancer cases among women and at least four women succumb to it daily in Zimbabwe.
Also addressing the same gathering, World Health Organisation country representative, Dr David Okello, patients, families and the society all receive experience the economic impact of cancer since it has suddenly become a worrying public health problem in the continent of Africa.
He said about 715 000 new cancer cases and 542 000 cancer deaths occurred in 2008 alone in Africa.
“The numbers are expected to double in the next 20 years simply because of the aging and growth of the population.
“Reports by the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry confirms cancer as a rising epidemic with cervical and breast cancers as the leading among the female population whilst prostate and Kaposi Sarcoma leads amongst male,” said Dr Okello.
Both male and female residents were screened of the various cancers at various pitched tents in the stadium.
Also gracing the same event was the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Cde Adrian Masiiwa, Manicaland Provincial Medical Director, Dr Tatenda Mafaune, Manicaland Provincial Administrator, Mr Fungai Mbetsa and various stakeholders.
