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Zimbabwe Cancer Association: Get Annual Screenings to Avoid Complications


Chemotherapy medicine is used to treat cancer in most nations.
Chemotherapy medicine is used to treat cancer in most nations.

The Cancer Association Of Zimbabwe says local people should go for early cancer screening annually to avoid complications should they have the disease.

Head of the Cancer Association Of Zimbabwe, Junior Mavhu, told VOA Studio 7 cancer screenings are being offered by her association and some government clinics and hospitals.

Mavhu said local people should take advantage of these facilities to get screened.

"It's important for people to go for early screening as treatment offered following early detection is likely to be more successful in treating the disease than when the cancer has spread. We therefore urge everyone to have an annual cancel check-up not to wait until symptoms start presenting," she said.

Mavhu said her organisation would join hands with the Health Ministry to commemorate World Cancer Day on February 4th next month, in Manicaland province.

She said they hope to use this time to create more awareness about the disease.

Running under the theme ‘Not Beyond Us’, the United Nations says cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for 8.2 million deaths in 2012.

Mavhu urged Zimbabweans to lead a healthy lifestyle and eat more traditional food instead of opting for fast foods, which she noted are now creating some health complications, including cancer.

She said it is important to exercise and avoid smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages excessively as these habits could also trigger cancer.

Interview with Junior Mavhu
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