By Michael Gwarisa
Breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge across Africa, with Zimbabwe ranking among the countries with notable incidence rates.
According to the latest data from a World Health Organization (WHO) Assessment of breast cancer control capacities in the WHO African Region in 2022, Zimbabwe has an age-standardized breast cancer incidence rate of 35.34 per 100,000 population, placing it among the top 15 countries in the WHO African Region with the highest burden of the disease.
The WHO report highlights stark variations in breast cancer incidence across Africa, ranging from 61.87 per 100,000 in Algeria to as low as 7 per 100,000 in Sierra Leone. The WHO African Region alone accounts for 8.6% of new breast cancer cases globally, underscoring the urgency of addressing this growing health crisis.
Breast cancer remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. In sub-Saharan Africa, this challenge is especially urgent, as breast cancer is the most common and deadly cancer among women in the region. Tragically, many women are diagnosed at advanced stages due to limited access to screening, early diagnosis, and quality care. Early detection can drastically improve treatment outcomes and recovery rates, making it essential to strengthen breast cancer prevention and care across the region,” said WHO Afric Director, Dr Matsidiso Moeti.
Several factors contribute to the increasing burden of breast cancer in Zimbabwe, including demographic changes such as population aging and expansion. Experts warn that the incidence of breast cancer is expected to nearly double across sub-Saharan Africa by 2040, posing significant challenges for healthcare systems already strained by other pressing public health issues.
Moreover, exposure to oncogenic risk factors, including lifestyle changes, hormonal influences, and environmental factors, has been linked to the rising breast cancer rates in Zimbabwe and the region. Limited access to early detection and screening programs further exacerbates the situation, as many cases are diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are less effective.
Zimbabwe’s health sector faces major challenges in combating breast cancer, including insufficient funding for cancer screening programs, lack of public awareness, and inadequate access to treatment facilities. Many patients, especially those in rural areas, struggle to access diagnostic and treatment services, leading to late-stage presentations and poorer survival outcomes.
Medical experts are calling for urgent policy interventions, including expanding early detection and screening services, increasing investment in cancer treatment facilities, raising public awareness about breast cancer risk factors and symptoms and strengthening healthcare infrastructure to support oncology care.
With breast cancer incidence rates on the rise, Zimbabwe must prioritize cancer control strategies to curb the disease’s growing impact. Improved access to screening, early diagnosis, and treatment can significantly reduce mortality rates and improve the quality of life for those affected.
The WHO report serves as a wake-up call for governments, healthcare providers, and civil society to take proactive measures in fighting breast cancer. Without strategic interventions and sustained investment, the burden of breast cancer in Zimbabwe is set to increase dramatically in the coming decades.
Breast cancer is no longer just a concern for high-income countries—it is a growing crisis in Zimbabwe and the broader African continent. Urgent action is needed to improve cancer care and prevent a worsening public health emergency.
