November is a prostate cancer month

CHINHOYI – PROSTATE cancer awareness month is recognised and celebrated
globally as a healthcare event every year during the month of November.

During the month, various awareness campaigns and activities are conducted by
several organisations in understanding the early diagnosis, treatment and the
preventive tips for prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer Awareness campaigns are mainly focused on encouraging the male
population to take preventative measures to avoid any risk of prostate cancer and
any conditions which could lead to prostate cancer in the future.

Addressing stakeholders during the Mashonaland West combined family planning
and Adolescence Sexual Reproductive Health third quarter forum, the Provincial
Nursing Officer, Farai Marufu, encouraged stakeholders to do more awareness on
prostate cancer.

Men should not be left behind, November is a prostate cancer awareness month let
us have more awareness on prostate cancer during this month urged Marufu.

Prostate cancer in Zimbabwe is increasingly becoming common, especially in urban
areas.

Prostate cancer is the second common cancer in men.

Prostate cancer is one of the very rare type of cancers which can be prevented 100
percent when detected early.

Acknowledging the fact that prostate cancer is responsible for the increased death
toll over the years, it was disheartening when understood that each patient could be
saved and every death could be prevented totally, only if proper awareness is as
widely spread as breast cancer awareness.

In 2020 Zimbabwe recorded 7.4 percent prostate cancer incidences and 7.7 mortality
and it is projected to increase by 2025.

For early detection of prostate cancer, men must be screened regularly. Although the
screenings are done, they could accelerate a thousand-fold only if the awareness of
prostate cancer is ramp up and when the people understand that this is a completely
preventable. Awareness, therefore, can be life-saving.

This explains the necessity and importance of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
This year’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month theme is Know Your Risks. The
theme highlights the importance of regular check-ups, sharing information about risk
factors and symptoms, and providing support to those affected by prostate cancer.

Providing the male population with the knowledge of Prostate Cancer is helpful not
only in understanding the awareness but early diagnosis of the affliction.