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The Herald, 16 October 2015

Thousands of people are expected to receive free breast cancer screening at the Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) in Harare as part of World Cancer month commemorations.

The screening programme started on October 1 and will end at the end of the month.

CAZ information officer, Ms Priscilla Mangwiro on Wednesday said: “Response has been overwhelming. Both men and women are keen to acquire knowledge concerning cancer.”

Screening tests available included ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, mammography, clinical breast examination and self-breast examination.

“About 30 percent of all cancers and deaths are due to five leading behavioural and dietary risks — obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol uptake,” said Miss Mangwiro.

Cancer is one of the biggest non-communicable diseases causing deaths in Zimbabwe.

Breast cancer tops the list of causes of death among women.

“The association recognises the increase in deaths caused by cancer and has taken it upon itself to raise awareness and educate people of the factors that raise the risk of being vulnerable to cancer. Statistics show that 12.9 percent of women examined suffer from breast cancer,” said Miss Mangwiro.

She said some of the challenges being faced by cancer patients included unavailability of breast cancer treatment after screening.

Miss Mangwiro said the association noted that people grappled with myths and misconceptions about cancer, resulting in late diagnosis.

About 81 percent of cancer patients reported to health facilities when it’s too late to treat the disease.

Lessons for today

Routine cancer screening can save lives.

Getting screened reassures you if the result is normal.

Cancer screening may help prevent cancer by finding changes in your body.

Screening helps find cancer early before you have symptoms when it is easier to treat.

Cancer screening helps detect cancer before it spreads and makes it easier to treat.

Early detection may mean less treatment and less time spent recovering.