The Minister of Health and Childcare, Douglas Mombeshora, says the prevalence of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe is worryingly high, with about 3,000 cases diagnosed each year, reported <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/cervical-cancer-prevalence-in-zimbabwe-worryingly-high-says-health-minister-2-000-women-lose-battle-yearly/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>.
Addressing journalists and a visiting team from the World Health Organisation (WHO), from Geneva, Switzerland, Momboshera said it was worrisome that more than 70% of people diagnosed with cervical cancer succumb to the disease. He said:
<blockquote>
Cervical cancer remains a concerning public health challenge in our country, as it has far-reaching implications for the health and well-being of our citizens, particularly for our women.
The prevalence of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe is worryingly high, with an estimated 3,000 new cases diagnosed each year, out of which an estimated 2,000 women lose their battle to this disease.
This means that more than 70% of people diagnosed with cervical cancer do not survive.
</blockquote>
Mombeshora said the government was committed to attaining its goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. He said:
<blockquote>
Today, l want to share a message of determination and hope for Zimbabwe as we proactively take the needed steps to protect our women and conquer this disease in our country.
Over the past decade, Zimbabwe has been steadfast in its commitment to cervical cancer elimination, and today we reaffirm our dedication to this cause and set our sights on the ambitious goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2030.
</blockquote>
The Minister said that since the inception in 2018 of the national vaccination programme against human papillomavirus (HPV), significant progress has been made, with over two million girls jabbed to date.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Vaccines can prevent some of the health effects the virus causes. Said Mombeshora:
<blockquote>
That is why, guided by our national cancer prevention and control plan, we are making critical strides. Over 200 healthcare facilities across Zimbabwe now offer VIAC (Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid and Camera) screenings, and 60 locations provide HPV tests. These expanded services are empowering women with the tools for early detection.
</blockquote>
VIAC is an effective way to prevent cervical cancer in women aged between 30-50 years old. The procedure involves examining the opening of the womb, or the cervix, for changes that might lead to cancer.
The delegation from WHO Geneva, Switzerland later toured Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital and Umboe Clinic in Mhangura, situated about 40km from Chinhoyi.
The WHO entourage, accompanied by the Health Minister who is also Mhangura Member of Parliament (MP) and Mashonaland West Provincial Minister Marian Chombo.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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2 000 Women Succumb To Cervical Cancer Each Year In Zimbabwe - Health Minister

Actress and media personality <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Tinopona_Katsande">Tinopona Katsande</a> says her heart is “sore” and her mind “fuzzy” as she undergoes treatment for cervical cancer.
Tin Tin, as she is also known by her fans, was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 and has been undergoing chemotherapy since then.
On Sunday, Katsande announced that starting this week, she will be undergoing radiotherapy, another cancer treatment regimen.
Chemotherapy is a cancer treatment where medicine is used to kill cancer cells, while radiotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that uses beams of intense energy to kill cancer cells. Posting on her Facebook page on Sunday, Tino said:
<blockquote>
Today is a tough day for me. Radiotherapy is starting this week. I’ve decided to shave my head before I HAVE to shave it. My heart is sore. My mind is fuzzy.
Imagine, I’ve often shaved my head over the years in solidarity with cancer friends who were survivors/ fighters or had succumbed to it, OR I previously shaved my head for fashion chakuti chakuti. Whatever the reason, it was BY CHOICE.
NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS DID I THINK I WOULD BE FORCED TO DO SO LIKE IS HAPPENING NOW.
Emotionally and mentally so far I felt I was doing really great with the chemo. I’ve been keeping positive and REFUSING for tuma nyaya nyaya to stress me.
I’ve been keeping my mind busy, my body as healthy as I can, and my energy up up…
… with radiotherapy starting this week I feel like I’ve just been dealt the diagnosis again… Hameno, It’s a bit difficult for me to articulate into words right now…
</blockquote>
Last year, Tin Tin admitted that death was her first thought when she first received her diagnosis of cervical cancer.
She added she became hopeful when doctors assured her that the disease could be treated as it had been identified at an early stage.

Tino Katsande To Undergo Radiotherapy As She Battles Cancer

The government has rolled out a programme to vaccinate school-going girls against cervical cancer.
The vaccine against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) will be administered across the country’s schools this week.
It will ensure that over a million girls will be vaccinated against the disease that kills four women in Zimbabwe every day.
The Primary and Secondary Education Minister Professor Paul Mavima said in a statement:
<blockquote>Over a million girls aged 10 to 15 years are set to receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine this week up to May 31.
The government has adopted a school-based approach for the vaccination programme, hence parents, guardians, teachers, churches and communities are urged to rally behind the ministries of Health and Education and encourage all eligible girls to receive this life-saving vaccine.</blockquote>
Mavima went on to thank global partners, GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations) and Vaccine Alliance among others for their support in providing adequate vaccines. He said:
<blockquote>We are grateful for the support from GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisations) and Vaccine Alliance for availing adequate vaccines to cover all eligible girls across the country from the programme’s inception and subsequently for the annual vaccination which will continue in schools.
Other partners such as the UNFPA, WHO and Health Development Fund have pledged to support the country to ensure the success of the cervical cancer prevention programme.</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/over-a-million-girls-to-to-get-hpv-vaccine-this-week/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

1 Million Schoolgirls To Be Vaccinated Against Cervical Cancer

Speaking during a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) media family planning awareness workshop in Kadoma last week, the agency’s reproductive health specialist, Dr Edwin Mapeta said that cervical cancer kills four women daily in Zimbabwe.
Said Dr Mupeta:
<blockquote>Four women in Zimbabwe die daily due to cervical cancer and what worries is that despite the numerous cancer screening institutions that the Government has set, only about 13 percent of women at risk have bothered to go for screening. Our HIV prevalence has also increased the number of cervical cancer detected annually. From about 2 200 that we diagnose of cervical cancer yearly, 1 400 of them die.</blockquote>
More: <a href="http://www.chronicle.co.zw/cancer-kills-4-women-a-day/">Chronicle</a>

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