Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of d3ath in Zimbabwe, particularly with cervical and prostate cancers being the most prevalent, as evidenced by the delayed 2019 report from the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry (ZNCR).
The report indicates that cervical cancer is responsible for 12% of cancer-related d3aths among women, while prostate cancer accounts for 11% of de_ths in men, reflecting a significant health crisis in urban areas of the country.
In total, there were 2,416 cancer de_ths noted in 2019, with a near-even gender distribution of victims, highlighting the widespread impact of this disease across demographics.
The achievement of 30 years of cancer surveillance further emphasizes Zimbabwe’s commitment to understanding cancer trends, although challenges in data collection, such as technical failures, suggest that the true number of cases may be higher than reported.
Notably, lifestyle changes linked to rapid urbanization have contributed to a rise in cancer incidences, as more individuals face cancers associated with modern diets and sedentary habits rather than diseases commonly seen in impoverished communities.
The late diagnosis of cancers, due to inadequate access to screening and treatment, poses a critical challenge, leading to many patients presenting with advanced stages of the illness when they finally seek medical help.
Additionally, childhood cancer cases, though fewer in number, remain a concern, with leukemia and other forms being the most common among young patients.
