Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026
04:20
Author Spotlight: Exploring the Role of FAM83A in Cervical Cancer
Published on: February 9, 2024
1.5K
Cervical cancer in Zimbabwe: a situation analysis
Oppah Kuguyo1, Alice Matimba1, Nomsa Tsikai2
1University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
The Pan African Medical Journal
|October 6, 2017
Summary
Cervical cancer prevention and screening programs in Zimbabwe face challenges due to limited resources, high HIV prevalence, and poor public knowledge. Increased funding and community engagement are crucial for early detection and reducing mortality.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- High cervical cancer morbidity and mortality persist in Zimbabwe despite available prevention and screening programs.
- Limited resources and high HIV prevalence contribute significantly to the cervical cancer burden.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze existing policies, frameworks, and current practices in cervical cancer management within Zimbabwe.
- To identify key challenges and recommend strategies for improving cervical cancer control.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive review of national documents and published literature on cervical cancer prevention, screening, and treatment in Zimbabwe.
- Informal interviews were conducted to assess current management practices.
Main Results:
- A pilot Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program is in progress, and the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIAC) screening program is being integrated into the healthcare system.
- "See and treat" programs for precancerous lesions are implemented in colposcopy clinics, with two multidisciplinary cancer treatment centers established.
- There is a general lack of knowledge and understanding regarding cervical cancer among the population in Zimbabwe.
Conclusions:
- Resource limitations, inadequate infrastructure, manpower shortages, treatment delays, and low patient awareness contribute to high cervical cancer morbidity and mortality.
- Increased Ministry of Health funding is essential to accelerate HPV vaccination and screening program availability.
- Community engagement is vital for raising awareness, promoting prevention, and encouraging early detection of cervical cancer.
Related Concept Videos
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
793
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
793
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
7.1K
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
7.1K
01:30Cancer Vaccines
1.1K
Cancer treatment vaccines are a rapidly evolving field that offers a promising approach to immunotherapy. Unlike traditional vaccines that prevent diseases, cancer treatment vaccines are designed to treat existing cancers by stimulating the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
Cancer vaccines come in two categories: preventive (prophylactic) and treatment (active). Preventive vaccines, such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, protect against viruses that cause certain...
1.1K
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
6.5K
Rous Sarcoma virus or RSV was discovered by F. Peyton Rous in the year 1911 as a filterable transmissible agent that could cause tumors in chickens. He won a Nobel Prize for this discovery in 1966. His experiments clearly demonstrated that some cancers could be caused by infectious agents and led to the discovery of many more cancer-causing viruses in animals as well as humans.
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...
6.5K
01:24Disorders of the Female Reproductive System
4.6K
The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...
4.6K