The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe (CAZ) is urging authorities to introduce cancer education in primary schools to raise awareness and improve health literacy. Lovemore Makurirofa, CAZ's evaluation and research officer, made the call during an appearance on 3Ktv's current affairs program, Vantage. He emphasized the need for an extensive national program on cancer education, similar to the one implemented for HIV.
Makurirofa stressed that cancer education should be introduced in the school curriculum from primary level, with pupils being examined on the subject. This, he believes, will improve cancer literacy in the country and help people understand the importance of early detection. Currently, cancer is not part of the school curriculum, and pupils are not examined on the subject.
The CAZ official also called for the decentralization of cancer treatment in the country. He noted that the centralization of treatment services in urban areas, mainly Harare and Bulawayo, places a huge burden on patients who have to travel long distances to access treatment. This results in extra costs for transport, accommodation, and food, adding to the already high costs of cancer treatment.
Makurirofa expressed concern about the few centers treating cancer patients in the country, which are mainly located in urban areas. He advocated for the decentralization of treatment centers, which would make cancer management more accessible and affordable for patients. The government has recognized the need for decentralization, but the process is slow due to the technology-intensive nature of radiotherapy services.
According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer continues to contribute significantly to national cancer mortality, constituting about 41 percent of all cancer cases among black women. Makurirofa underlined the need to invest more in cervical cancer prevention and treatment, as it is the most preventable of all cancers.
The Cancer Association of Zimbabwe is advocating for resources from the sugar tax and local fundraising initiatives to be channeled towards decentralizing cancer treatment. Makurirofa appreciated the government's recognition of the need for decentralization but urged for the process to be sped up. He also emphasized the importance of making cancer treatment accessible and affordable for all patients.
The Vantage program, which aired Makurirofa's interview, offers diverse perspectives on various topics, including politics, corruption, economics, and women's issues. The program is broadcast on 3Ktv every Thursday at 8:30 pm and is also available free-to-air and on DStv Channel 293.
Key points
- Cancer education should be introduced in primary schools to improve health literacy.
- Decentralization of cancer treatment is crucial to make services more accessible and affordable.
- Cervical cancer is the most preventable of all cancers and requires more investment in prevention and treatment.
