Cancer crisis deepens in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is recording close to 8 000 new cancer cases annually, with health experts warning of a growing burden driven by post-COVID trends, late diagnosis, and ongoing challenges in data collection and early detection systems.

Registrar of the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry, Eric Chokunonga, said the country recorded its highest number of cases in 2022, when new diagnoses exceeded the 8 000 mark.

"But what we have are the most frequently occurring cancers. In terms of the number of new cases, Zimbabwe is now recording close to 8,000 new cases per year. So in 2022, we had more than 8,000 new cases," he said, adding that 2022 remains the peak year on record.

He said prostate cancer remains the most common among men, accounting for about 35 percent of cases, while cervical cancer dominates among women at more than 40 percent.

"In terms of new cases, in males, prostate cancer is by far the commonest cancer… accounting for 35% of all new cases. In women, the most common cancer is cervical cancer… more than 40% of all female cancers," said Chokunonga.

He also noted a rise in cases following the COVID-19 pandemic, although the underlying causes are still unclear.

"Let me quickly point out that post-COVID cancer is now a very serious problem. We are seeing a huge rise in new cases of cancer after COVID. So we're not sure what is causing this," he said.

Chokunonga said cancer data collection remains slow and complex, with Zimbabwe currently working with 2022 statistics, which he described as relatively current by global standards.

He explained that cancer registration involves extensive verification and cleaning of data from multiple sources, including pathology laboratories, which often delays reporting.

"There are quite a number of challenges. First of all, there is the issue of manpower… So the registry is not adequately staffed," he said, adding that delays in pathology reporting and voluntary notification systems also affect data accuracy and timeliness.

He said cancer is not a notifiable disease in Zimbabwe, making consistent reporting difficult in the absence of legislative backing.

Meanwhile, Health Ministry Director for Non-Communicable Diseases Justice Mudavanhu said over 80 percent of cancer cases are being diagnosed at advanced stages, significantly reducing survival chances.

He attributed late presentation to several factors, including low awareness of symptoms, stigma, fear, poverty, and limited access to healthcare services.

"Sometimes there's low symptom recognition… fear and stigma… financial barriers… they contribute to patient delay," said Mudavanhu.

He said many patients only seek medical attention once the disease has progressed to stage three or four, when treatment outcomes are often poor.

Health experts continue to call for improved awareness, early screening programmes, and strengthened cancer surveillance systems to curb the rising burden of the disease.