By Ndinatsei Mavodza
While October in Zimbabwe is known for many things, from jacaranda trees that paint cities in shades of purple to the intense heat and end of year examinations for high school learners, it is also internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the disease while promoting early detection and support for those affected.
For 57 year-old Sungano Zvarebwanashe, a Masvingo resident and breast cancer patient, the month of October is more than just a time for pink ribbons and awareness marches. It carries a painful reminder of her long and difficult journey with breast cancer.
The international health campaign is often symbolized by the colour pink and the pink ribbon, but for women like Zvarebwanashe, the fight goes far beyond the symbol as it is a deeply personal story of fear, strength and survival.
Her battle began quietly in 2020, with what seemed like a harmless itch on her left breast accompanied by a watery discharge.
In 2021, she noticed that her breast was swollen and when she sought medical attention, she was told it was just a boil but a month later, the boil reappeared.
“After visiting the hospital for the first time with my swollen breast, I was told it was just a boil that needed to be squeezed. When it came back a month later, the doctor said it was because it hadn’t been squeezed properly the first time,” she recalled.
It wasn’t until 2022, when her condition worsened that she decided to see a new doctor who recommended a breast cancer screening.
What came after were the results, confirming her fears, giving a face and a name to what she had carried for the past 2 years.
She had breast cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) says breast cancer happens when abnormal cells in the breast grow out of control forming tumours and about 99% of breast cancer cases occur in women, while only about 1% affect men.
What followed after the diagnosis for Zvarebwanashe was a series of advice from family and friends with some urging her to try traditional remedies, while others encouraged her to seek medical treatment.
She then began her journey of medical treatments only to be met by challenges around accessibility of healthcare services.
The National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP, 2025-2030) developed by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) notes that Zimbabwe currently has only two public oncology centresinHarare and Bulawayo, serving over 15 million people.
This was one of the biggest challenges, for Zvarebwanashe as she sought treatment hundreds of kilometres away from her home in Masvingo.
“Another challenge was that facilities offering cancer treatment are only in Harare and Bulawayo which meant extra travel and accommodation costs for me. On top of that, you would get there to find that there was a long list of patients before you so sometimes you would have to travel back without treatment,” she explained.
Her story comes at a time when awareness campaigns are intensifying across the country. On October 16, Masvingo City held a breast cancer awareness walkathon from Croco Motors to the Civic Centre, encouraging residents to get screened for free and to learn more about early detection.
Also present at the awareness campaign was Masvingo Provincial Medical Director, Dr Amadeus Shamhu, who emphasized the urgent need for improved diagnostic facilities in the province, particularly the introduction of mammography services.
“Unfortunately, here in Masvingo we do not have mammography yet but it is something that we are trying to do. We hope that by next year at the Masvingo Provincial Hospital, we will have mammography,” he highlighted.
In essence, through low dose X rays, mammography is used to view the internal structures of the breast allowing breast cancer screening and diagnosis.
Dr. Shamhu also highlighted that another challenge with breast cancer was treatment options available as most people often resort to traditional methods while encouraging patients to seek medical treatment promptly.
“Another challenge that we face with breast cancer patients is that they usually want to seek traditional treatments first. I am not saying this is wrong but usually when these people eventually come to the hospital, the breast cancer will be at the second, third and fourth stage which makes it difficult for successful treatments. I urge all of us to seek medical advice promptly whenever we notice changes in our bodies,” he said.
As awareness campaigns continue across the country, national health authorities are also working to strengthen cancer care and policy frameworks to address the growing burden of breast cancer in Zimbabwe.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) developed a National Health Strategy for 2021-2025 which seeks to improve the health and wellness of citizens with the goal of ensuring universal access to health services.
While this is crucial, Zimbabwe also needs disease specific strategies to address the unique challenges posed by breast cancer including late diagnosis, limited screening services and high treatment costs.
To address these gaps, the MoHCC recently launched the National Cancer Control Plan (2025–2030) which advocates for a comprehensive cancer control programme.
The plan acknowledges however that current infrastructure, diagnostic equipment and treatment capacity do not adequately meet the country’s growing cancer burden.
These policies and initiatives are a step in the right direction, yet their success will depend on actionable implementation, sustained funding and collaborative efforts among government, NGOs and the private sector.
For women like Zvarebwanashe such efforts around strategies and policies offer hope only if they are accompanied by action and real change on the ground.
“With breast cancer, there isn’t much being done beyond awareness and screening. If a woman discovers she has breast cancer and there are no treatment services available, she ends up dying at home. I think this is why many women choose to live not knowing their status,” said Zvarebwanashe.
Although she remains hopeful, Zvarebwanashe’s journey is far from over as she is still undergoing treatment for breast cancer in Botswana and the costs continue to weigh heavily on her. With her health limiting her ability to work, every hospital visit and medication purchase becomes a financial burden.
Sadly, this is not just a story but the reality for many women in the Masvingo province and the country at large.
Commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October remains a pivotal step, but there is a pressing need to move beyond a once a year conversation.
True awareness lives in consistent efforts such as investing in modern medical equipment, expanding healthcare facilities, bringing cancer services closer to communities, stronger advocacy and the courage to keep the conversation alive long after the ribbons are taken down.
Only then can stories like Sungano Zvarebwanashe’s be celebrated truly.
Only then can a breast cancer diagnosis feel less like a death sentence.
