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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

Health experts want Government’s public health system to introduce a holistic cancer management and care programme to improve access to equitable and quality healthcare solutions. 

The experts see a need for special training and programmes for health care workers, in particular, but also more information given to the general public. 

 Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for an estimated 9.6 million deaths a year.

The cancer burden continues to grow globally, exerting tremendous physical, emotional and financial strain on individuals, families and health systems. 

Veteran oncologist Dr Anna Nyakabau said cancer care programmes will equip caregivers, health workers as well as patients with knowledge about the disease thereby reducing the suffering and pain and improve the quality of their lives. 

She said it was also crucial for Government to avail funds for cancer care and control programs so cancer treatment and prevention was effective. 

“We have more programmes on HIV and AIDS. Government should also consider cancer programmes and integration of palliative care into the public health system,” she said. 

“Training programmes will also help to curb stigma on cancer. Non-communicable diseases should be prioritised because more people are dying of cancer, diabetes, stroke among others,” she said. 

Dr Nyakabau said cancer would not be eliminated, but people could take preventive measures and seek treatment. “Cancer should be prevented to lessen its burden on individuals and the nation. Prevention starts with early detection tests and cancer detected early is dealt with easily and cheaply. Advanced cancer has no cure and will usually lead to death,” she said. Early detection of cancer could greatly increase the likelihood of successful treatment. 

She also said Zimbabwe’s radiation machines should be monitored to ensure that they always work to avoid disruptions on treatment. Decentralisation of treatment would give a practical opportunity to all cancer patients to access the services. 

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and in Zimbabwe accounting for an average of 7 000 new cases and over 1 500 deaths each year. 

Cancer rates can rise as lifetyles changed, meaning that growing prosperity could see the sort of diet changes and rapid urbanisation that help to grow cancer rates. It is the opposite of the complaints where more poverty can be the serious problem. 

Cervical cancer remained the lead cancer followed by prostate, breast cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, oesophagus and colorectal in that order. 

There is a wide gap in diagnosis and therapy access in developing countries. Zimbabwe will be introducing mandatory screening for cancer in certain age groups as a prevention and control strategy for the world’s second leading cause of deaths.