Zambian health minister Elijah Muchima has revealed that about 860 men di3 from prostate cancer in Zambia every year, with over 1,600 new cases being recorded.
According to Muchima, prostate cancer is a type of cancer that affects the prostate glands in men.
The minister of Health who was responding to a question in the National Assembly raised by Kalabo Central Member of Parliament Chinga Miyutu, stated that prostate cancer mostly affects the elderly.
“Zambia records 1,642 cases of prostate cancer per annum with 863 deaths which means 50 percent of those affected.”
“The most affected age group is the elderly between ages 70 and 79, followed by 60 to 69 then 50 to 59 and 40 to 49. Meaning the older you are the more at risk you are,” disclosed Muchima.
He added that Prostate cancer is a significant health concern of which the government has put up measures to enhance prostate cancer awareness countrywide.
“We have developed the National Cancer Control Strategic Plan 2022 to 2026 which outlines several key objectives and strategies to address various cancer including prostate cancer. Government partners with organisations like the Prostate Cancer Foundation, Zambia Prostate Campaign and the Zambian Cancer Society who are actively involved in spearheading awareness about prostate cancer. They emphasise the importance of screening and early detection.”
“These campaigns include distribution of information and educational materials on prostate cancers, radio and television through corporate settings and events. School programmes and church where people are gathered, mentorship and training of primary health workers. They aim to promote screening and early detection to get screened for prostate cancer,” he revealed.
The minister further encouraged all men above the age of 40 to get screened for prostate cancer.
Muchima also called on MPs to raise awareness about all types of cancer in their respective constituencies.
“Cancer is a silent disease. Help us raise awareness. It’s expensive for the ministry to go everywhere. Help us when parliament adjourns to bring awareness to the people. We don’t have money to evacuate everyone,” he noted.
