News / National
Khupe confirms cancer treatment was a success
22 Dec 2011 at 08:12hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe confirmed to Radio VOP that she underwent mastectomy and chemotherapy treatment in South Africa last week.
Speaking during a donation of medical equipment worth US$3, 5 million by Department for International Development (DFID) UK in Bulawayo Wednesday, Khupe said she now has one breast after her operation.
"I now have one breast and I am not even shy and worried about it, I went through a very successful cancer chemotherapy operation in South Africa and you people when you see me you think I have two normal breasts but that's not it, Khupe said.
Mastectomy is the removal of all of the breast tissue. Mastectomy is more refined and less intrusive than it used to be because in most cases, the muscles under the breast are no longer removed.
Khupe went on to say: "I thank you all for your prayers, I am still very strong and God will always guide me,". She said Zimbabweans diagnosed with cancer should not give up as the diseases can be treated.
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. Most women have a higher risk for breast cancer if they have a close relative who has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Khupe has been the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity since February 2009. She is the first woman appointed to this post since Zimbabwe's independence.
In 2010 she was elected as the President for the United Nations Aids/Global Women Power Network for Africa.
The network is responsible for creating a new and sustainable network of female legislators and ministers from Africa to fight HIV/Aids and implement the agenda for accelerated country action at national and regional levels.
Since 2000, she has been also the deputy chairperson of the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Women's Caucus and has recently been appointed Humanitarian Coordinator. Thokozani Khupe has three children.
Speaking during a donation of medical equipment worth US$3, 5 million by Department for International Development (DFID) UK in Bulawayo Wednesday, Khupe said she now has one breast after her operation.
"I now have one breast and I am not even shy and worried about it, I went through a very successful cancer chemotherapy operation in South Africa and you people when you see me you think I have two normal breasts but that's not it, Khupe said.
Mastectomy is the removal of all of the breast tissue. Mastectomy is more refined and less intrusive than it used to be because in most cases, the muscles under the breast are no longer removed.
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. Most women have a higher risk for breast cancer if they have a close relative who has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 - 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Khupe has been the Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity since February 2009. She is the first woman appointed to this post since Zimbabwe's independence.
In 2010 she was elected as the President for the United Nations Aids/Global Women Power Network for Africa.
The network is responsible for creating a new and sustainable network of female legislators and ministers from Africa to fight HIV/Aids and implement the agenda for accelerated country action at national and regional levels.
Since 2000, she has been also the deputy chairperson of the Zimbabwe Parliamentary Women's Caucus and has recently been appointed Humanitarian Coordinator. Thokozani Khupe has three children.
Source - Radio VOP
