Collective Action Critical in the Fight Against Childhood Cancer In Zimbabwe

By Nevison Mpofu     

Childhood cancer cases are on the rise in Zimbabwe. Ominously, reports say that the number of the affected children in the country have minimal chances of getting the requisite treatment let alone survival. This dire situation recently led health experts, organizations, and other interested parties in Zimbabwe to come to the round table to discuss and possibly find an intervention to combat the spread of childhood cancer before it reaches unmanageable levels.

KidzCan, a childhood cancer organization whose mission is to offer treatment to all affected children, invited all health actors to an awareness workshop this past month. KidzCan highlighted the dire situation that the country finds itself in saying only 20% of the affected children stand a chance of surviving. The KidzCan executive director, Mr Daniel Mackenzie, said the current survival rate is well below the target set by the government. The Zimbabwean government has a target of increasing the survival rate of children diagnosed with cancer to 60 percent by 2030.

Exposing the reasons behind the worrying figures of childhood cancer in Zimbabwe, Cancer National Registry of Zimbabwe Registrar, Mr Eric Chokunonga pinpointed late diagnosis and absence of cancer treatment resources as the major factors.

"At least 400,000 children in many countries, developed or non-developed, around the world develop several cancer types every year. However, developed countries treat almost 80% of cancer cases successfully. In developing countries, nearly 30% are treated successfully... In middle and low-income countries, only 30% are effectively treated and cured. Death in many of these countries is a result of failure to do early detection, diagnoses, and late treatment options."

Dr. Patience Kuona, a pediatrician at Parirenyatwa, formerly Andrew Fleming Hospital, added that another challenge is the complexity of diagnosing cancer in children as opposed to adults.  

‘’Cancer in adults is easier to detect than in children. The mechanism of cancer in children is different from that in adults. Adults usually get the disease as they age on in life. This is part of geriatric infections and diseases. Some organs fail to work efficiently for them then they start to be ill. That is why it is not as difficult to detect in adults as in children," said Dr Kuona.

Mr Mackenzie touched on how some parents waste critical time by visiting traditional and faith healers when they must be seeking medical help. “Some of the challenges being faced include late presentation. Sixty percent (of patients) are presenting to traditional and faith healers first before they go to health institutions... Early detection and treatment significantly improves survival rates. We need to talk about it and make childhood cancer a household name. People should not be afraid of childhood cancer. Instead, they should be able to say early detection is the best protection and refer the child,” he said.

To address the challenge of the ever-rising cases of childhood cancer, all the health actors at the awareness workshop agreed that collective action between and among parents and/or guardians, health workers, and all other individuals and institutions involved in the life of children is the only way to combat childhood cancer. The health experts said collective action enables the early detection hence diagnosis of cancer. This, in turn, makes it possible for treatment to be administered at an early stage where its chances of working are at an all-time high.

Commenting on the collective action intervention, KidzCan nurse Charity Kawadza urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and the church to be extra vigilant and observant when it comes to children. She said parents must react quickly once they suspect symptoms of cancer like fatigue, fevers, unusual lumps, and abrupt changes in behavior.

‘’ Adults, once they see and detect symptoms in kids, must take quick action before everything goes bad. Parents usually visit doctors, clinics, and hospitals after the problem has prolonged. Let us take action early and fast as parents. Caregivers must take action quickly when and once children complain of pain in their bodies... Let us not ignore children who complain to us as parents. Let us take quick, fast action before dangers come. Once this happens, we prevent it. Prevention is better. There are specific symptoms like fatigue, weakness, weight loss, pain, swelling, and lumps in the body,’’ Kawadza said.

Health experts agreed that the goal to achieve at least 60% survival of children with cancer by 2030 is possible through awareness, sensitization, and advocacy in the community. Education in schools remains crucial. Educative programs. Getting close to the curriculum is so important in Health Education lessons and studies, research qualitatively and quantitatively from Primary, Secondary to Tertiary education. Family and Community Radio and TV Programs, all media engagement like newspapers and magazines is crucial.

Zimbabwe's Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Dr Omphile Marupi particularly urged the media to play a leading role. “The media has the power to influence opinions, shape narratives, and bring critical issues to the forefront of national consciousness,” he said. “Today, I challenge you as members of the Press to take up the mantle of responsibility in the fight against childhood cancer. You are the voice that can educate, inform, and mobilize our communities... Through your reporting, you can help dispel myths, eliminate stigma, and encourage parents to present their children early for treatment, giving them a much-needed chance at survival.”