Comments for Better Healthcare for Africa http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog Improving healthcare access, treatment and education for underserved people in Zimbabwe in partnership Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:10:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by lynda matthews http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-8926 lynda matthews Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:10:42 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-8926 Please email me.would like to discuss more on this issue.Iam from the Art of Being Humane Foundation.we are doing Awareness campaigns on cervical and breast cancer.thank u Please email me.would like to discuss more on this issue.Iam from the Art of Being Humane Foundation.we are doing Awareness campaigns on cervical and breast cancer.thank u

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by Darrell Ward http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-8395 Darrell Ward Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:34:06 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-8395 Dear Signs, Many thanks for your comment. You are correct that many cancers, including cancer of the cervix (the opening of the womb), can be cured if people recognize the signs of cancer, identify it early and seek treatment. The same can be true for breast cancer and a number of other cancers. Cervical cancer and breast cancer are a leading cause of death among women in Zimbabwe and many developing countries. A <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93767" rel="nofollow">recent study</a> found that two million women worldwide developed breast cancer or cervical cancer, and that 76 percent of cervical cancer cases occurred in developing countries, half of them in women under age 50. Education, early detection and early treatment can improve the quality of life for women and reduce deaths from these diseases. Early detection is particularly important in Zimbabwe and other developing countries because it is possible to treat and even cure early disease (especially cervical cancer), but far fewer options are available for treating advanced disease in resource-limited countries. Outreach programs that involve local physicians and hospitals, ministries of health, NGOs, and, ideally, traditional healers, are needed. Better Healthcare for Africa will continue to promote cancer awareness, education and early detection and treatment, and we are working to develop a pilot program to improve cancer care in Zimbabwe. Dear Signs, Many thanks for your comment. You are correct that many cancers, including cancer of the cervix (the opening of the womb), can be cured if people recognize the signs of cancer, identify it early and seek treatment. The same can be true for breast cancer and a number of other cancers. Cervical cancer and breast cancer are a leading cause of death among women in Zimbabwe and many developing countries. A recent study found that two million women worldwide developed breast cancer or cervical cancer, and that 76 percent of cervical cancer cases occurred in developing countries, half of them in women under age 50. Education, early detection and early treatment can improve the quality of life for women and reduce deaths from these diseases. Early detection is particularly important in Zimbabwe and other developing countries because it is possible to treat and even cure early disease (especially cervical cancer), but far fewer options are available for treating advanced disease in resource-limited countries. Outreach programs that involve local physicians and hospitals, ministries of health, NGOs, and, ideally, traditional healers, are needed. Better Healthcare for Africa will continue to promote cancer awareness, education and early detection and treatment, and we are working to develop a pilot program to improve cancer care in Zimbabwe.

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by Signs of Cancer http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-7926 Signs of Cancer Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:37:35 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-7926 With cancer being the second leading cause of death, I want to see it destroyed. I don't know if this is completely possible, but we do have a place to start. We can learn and teach the signs and symptoms of cancer in order to achieve earlier diagnoses. Some cancers are curable if found soon enough. This is why I desire to teach the signs of cancer! Thank you for this site and please continue to teach! With cancer being the second leading cause of death, I want to see it destroyed. I don’t know if this is completely possible, but we do have a place to start. We can learn and teach the signs and symptoms of cancer in order to achieve earlier diagnoses. Some cancers are curable if found soon enough. This is why I desire to teach the signs of cancer! Thank you for this site and please continue to teach!

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by Darrell Ward http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-7520 Darrell Ward Fri, 09 Sep 2011 12:09:15 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-7520 Hi, Elizabeth. Many thanks for your comment, and I do hope you stay in touch regarding your efforts to help women with cancer in Zimbabwe. I agree that Zimbabwean women are reluctant to talk about gynecologic cancers, which keeps them from an early diagnosis. I do think Zimbabwean women can take heart that they are alone in this, though. I think it is difficult for women in many cultures to talk about gynecologic cancers. Many people find it difficult to talk about cancer of any kind. In addition to that, there is the intensely personal nature of gynecologic cancer. In Zimbabwe, these problems are intensified by an overall lack of cancer awareness and education, and the lack of Pap tests and early diagnosis. In addition, Zimbabwean women must cope with high unemployment, high levels of poverty and hunger, and unreliable public transportation -- even if a woman can afford bus fare to a clinic or area hospital, the bus many not show up. This is not to say that the problem is hopeless. It should be possible to take education and simpler early detection methods out to the villages, for example. Thank you again, Elizabeth, best of luck in your efforts and please stay in touch. Hi, Elizabeth. Many thanks for your comment, and I do hope you stay in touch regarding your efforts to help women with cancer in Zimbabwe. I agree that Zimbabwean women are reluctant to talk about gynecologic cancers, which keeps them from an early diagnosis. I do think Zimbabwean women can take heart that they are alone in this, though. I think it is difficult for women in many cultures to talk about gynecologic cancers. Many people find it difficult to talk about cancer of any kind. In addition to that, there is the intensely personal nature of gynecologic cancer. In Zimbabwe, these problems are intensified by an overall lack of cancer awareness and education, and the lack of Pap tests and early diagnosis. In addition, Zimbabwean women must cope with high unemployment, high levels of poverty and hunger, and unreliable public transportation — even if a woman can afford bus fare to a clinic or area hospital, the bus many not show up. This is not to say that the problem is hopeless. It should be possible to take education and simpler early detection methods out to the villages, for example. Thank you again, Elizabeth, best of luck in your efforts and please stay in touch.

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by Elizabeth Tepa http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-7487 Elizabeth Tepa Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:23:54 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-7487 hello Darrell Iv really enjoyed reading your articles on this forum. Im an oncology nurse specialist based in NZ and i want to do something for my country in terms of cancer especially gynae cancers. I find african women generally dont want to talk about gynae cancers. Could be why the prognosis of cervical cancer in Zim is not good coz women seek treatment when its too late to do much about it. Im trying to source equipment for smear tests will update u on my progress hello Darrell
Iv really enjoyed reading your articles on this forum. Im an oncology nurse specialist based in NZ and i want to do something for my country in terms of cancer especially gynae cancers. I find african women generally dont want to talk about gynae cancers. Could be why the prognosis of cervical cancer in Zim is not good coz women seek treatment when its too late to do much about it. Im trying to source equipment for smear tests will update u on my progress

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by Darrell Ward http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-5572 Darrell Ward Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:06:09 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-5572 Thanks for your question. Let me see what I can learn. Darrell Thanks for your question. Let me see what I can learn.
Darrell

]]> Comment on March 9 — Cancer Care in Zimbabwe by carl von essen http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/03/cancer-care/comment-page-1/#comment-5570 carl von essen Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:52:14 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=492#comment-5570 I am interesated to know what radiotherapy facilities (machines) are actually operating now in Zimbabwe. There are conflicting reports. I am interesated to know what radiotherapy facilities (machines) are actually operating now in Zimbabwe. There are conflicting reports.

]]> Comment on Cancer in Zimbabwe: Elizabeth’s breast cancer returns; she asks for your spiritual support by Elizabeth Tarira http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/06/cancer-in-zimbabwe-elizabeth%e2%80%99s-breast-cancer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-5449 Elizabeth Tarira Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:46:16 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=598#comment-5449 I am leaving for Zimbabwe with doses of the medicine for 6 months. For my ticket of travel heaven knows where the money will come from. I am leaving for Zimbabwe with doses of the medicine for 6 months. For my ticket of travel heaven knows where the money will come from.

]]> Comment on Cancer in Zimbabwe: Elizabeth’s breast cancer returns; she asks for your spiritual support by Elizabeth Tarira http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/06/cancer-in-zimbabwe-elizabeth%e2%80%99s-breast-cancer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-5448 Elizabeth Tarira Sat, 25 Jun 2011 16:42:47 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=598#comment-5448 Alicia and Travis. Thanks for your generosity. The luminaria with my name written on it, just let "two big drops of water fall out of my eyes." I can immagine also the emotion of your friends who saw such a solidarity from the people who walked for life. The photos of the procession were just beautiful Travis. Alicia and Travis. Thanks for your generosity. The luminaria with my name written on it, just let “two big drops of water fall out of my eyes.” I can immagine also the emotion of your friends who saw such a solidarity from the people who walked for life. The photos of the procession were just beautiful Travis.

]]> Comment on Cancer in Zimbabwe: Elizabeth’s breast cancer returns; she asks for your spiritual support by Alicia Ward McGovern http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/2011/06/cancer-in-zimbabwe-elizabeth%e2%80%99s-breast-cancer-returns/comment-page-1/#comment-5422 Alicia Ward McGovern Thu, 23 Jun 2011 19:22:09 +0000 http://betterhealthcareforafrica.org/blog/?p=598#comment-5422 My husband, Travis and I have purchased a luminaria in honor of Dr. Tarira for this weekend's Relay For Life. It is an American Cancer Society walk/run that is being held at a local high school. The event runs continuously from 6pm on Friday, 06/24, until noon on Saturday, 06/25. Two high school friends of ours both lost their mothers to cancer and have put together a team of walkers. One person from the team must be walking on the track at all times...cancer never sleeps so why should they? Since I will be out of town, Travis will be walking for both of us. A luminaria is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a small, decorated paper bag). Once it's dark, the luminaria's are lit and light the way around the track throughout the night. It's absolutely beautiful. Considering Dr. Tarira's most recent unsettling news, I thought she would be a wonderful person we could do this in honor of. She is an inspiring, amazingly unselfish woman who has dedicated her life to helping others. I only wish we could now help her. I hope the injections work wonders for her and she can successfully battle this awful disease. My husband, Travis and I have purchased a luminaria in honor of Dr. Tarira for this weekend’s Relay For Life. It is an American Cancer Society walk/run that is being held at a local high school. The event runs continuously from 6pm on Friday, 06/24, until noon on Saturday, 06/25.

Two high school friends of ours both lost their mothers to cancer and have put together a team of walkers. One person from the team must be walking on the track at all times…cancer never sleeps so why should they? Since I will be out of town, Travis will be walking for both of us.

A luminaria is a small paper lantern (commonly a candle set in some sand inside a small, decorated paper bag). Once it’s dark, the luminaria’s are lit and light the way around the track throughout the night. It’s absolutely beautiful.

Considering Dr. Tarira’s most recent unsettling news, I thought she would be a wonderful person we could do this in honor of. She is an inspiring, amazingly unselfish woman who has dedicated her life to helping others. I only wish we could now help her. I hope the injections work wonders for her and she can successfully battle this awful disease.

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