Wednesday, August 10, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Life & Style EveryWoman Soul

Breast cancer on the rise in Malawi

by Brenda Buliyani
20/10/2017
in Soul
2 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

As the world unites for breast cancer awareness this month, Malawi, too, shares its troubles concerning the disease.

Dr Briony Acroyed-Parken, a breast cancer surgeon from the United Kingdom says Malawi’s biggest challenge is the lack of a coordinated breast care service.

“We are seeing probably about a hundred or so new cases each in Lilongwe and Blantyre.  The number of new cases outside these areas is not known. The global incidence is increasing and the incidence in Malawi is increasing.

“Non-communicable diseases, particulary cancer, are a rapidly growing problem in low and middle income countries [LMICs] now that infectious diseases are under better control and it is recognised that the incidence is increasing rapidly year on year,” said Acroyed-Parken.

She observes that the World Health Organisation (WHO) now focuses on cancer in LMICs as a priority.

The doctor admits that because the country is are not able to collect the data on breast cancer accurately (despite having one of the best cancer registries in Africa), Malawi does not have accurate figures.

“Nevertheless, I can certainly assure you that the numbers are definitely not going down! We have just this year set up a one-stop diagnostic breast clinic in Blantyre and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Lilongwe expects to follow within the next month.

“We also hope that Mzuzu and Zomba will join us in due course, so all regions will be covered from specialist services in the central hospitals which will mean that services are available for all Malawians, modelled on the best services in high income countries,” she said.

According to Acroyed-Parken, patients need clinical assessment from a breast specialist, who are very few in Malawi.

In addition, she says we lack mammography in all government centres and Malawi is very constrained with its pathological services, which poses a significant challenge.

“We are just managing this within Blantyre at present, but lack capacity for expansion as the service becomes better known and demand increases.  I believe there is capacity in pathology at KCH and anticipate they will establish a satisfactory service very soon,” said Acroyed-Parken.

Once a patient has been diagnosed with cancer, she says the challenge is to provide necessary surgery as soon as would be desired.

Acroyed-Parken adds that the oncology service is also greatly overstretched and so far there is no radiotherapy in Malawi, which is an essential component of treatment for breast cancer in many cases.

Previous Post

MCCCI faults policy on falling export trade

Next Post

140 arrested over bloodsuckers saga

Related Posts

Soul

‘My battle with breast cancer’

October 31, 2021
Soul

First woman to head prisons transport logistics

October 17, 2021
????????????????????????????????????
Soul

Equipping girls with the power of choice

October 13, 2019
Next Post
Kachama: It is all lies that I am joining politics

140 arrested over bloodsuckers saga

Opinions and Columns

My Turn

Bitcoin and regulations

August 8, 2022
Editor's Note

My beautiful experience as an intern

August 7, 2022
Editor's Note

My beautiful experience as an intern

August 7, 2022
Big Man Wamkulu

What is he up to? He doesn’t drink

August 7, 2022

Malawi-Music.com Top10

Trending Stories

  • Chizuma: She had medical consultations

    ACB clarifies Buluma’s absence for trial

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Rip-off 

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  •  Fuel price stabilisation fund building up—mera

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Media houses, operators cry foul over Macra tariffs

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Treasury Secretary says won’t resign

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.