Oncocare Zimbabwe

Did you know?

A man is more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than a woman is to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland in men that is part of the reproductive system. It is about the shape and size of a walnut. The prostate rests below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate helps make semen, which carries sperm from the testicles when a man ejaculates.

Are you at risk for prostate cancer?

Many men with prostate cancer don’t have symptoms until their cancer gets worse.

That’s why you should know your risks:

• Age – More than two out of every three prostate cancers are found in men over 65.

• Family history – Men with two or more relatives with prostate cancer are more than four times as likely to have it themselves and men whose relatives were diagnosed before age 65 run the most risk.
• Race – African men get prostate cancer at a rate 56 percent higher than Caucasians.
• Weight – Obesity can lead to a delay in diagnosis, longer recovery from surgery and a higher risk of death.
• Diet – Men who eat a diet high in animal fat may have a higher risk. Those whose diets are higher in fruits and vegetables may have a lower risk

Symptoms and Detection

Most men will not notice any symptoms, especially if their cancer is detected in its early stages. Men who do notice symptoms report some of the following:

• Urinating a lot, particularly at night
• Trouble starting or controlling urination, weak or interrupted flow, or painful urination
• Difficulty having an erection
• Painful ejaculation, or blood or urine in semen
• Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs

When there are no symptoms, prostate cancer can be found during a routine

prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. The blood test screens for raised levels of PSA, a protein made by the prostate.

It is recommended that you get tested every year after age 40.

Treatment Options

When detected early, nine in ten prostate cancers can be cured. Treatments include:

• Radiation: Radioactive beams or metal pellets kill the cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy: The prostate cancer growth is slowed and testosterone levels are lowered.
• Radical prostatectomy: The prostate gland and some nearby tissue are removed.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE BEST CHANCE OF CURING PROSTATE CANCER IS BY EARLY DETECTION THROUGH PSA SCREENING, WHICH IS ONLY A BLOOD

TEST. Call Oncocare Cancer Treatment Centre for an appointment today.

Mother’s Day Hat Affair

Oncocare was officially opened on the 25th of April, 2017. The Minister of Health and Child welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, graced the site with his presence, taking a tour of the facilities and addressing over 200 guests in attendance.

Testimonials were given by two patients treated at Oncocare which gave the audience a real tangible experience of Cancer and the impact it has on one’s life.

Also in attendance was Mr. Donance Kangausaru, who has beed getting aid from the Oncocare Zimbabwe network of doctors and specialists. Read Mr. Kangausaru’s story here.

Oncocare would like to thank all those who attended the official opening and all those who helped to ensure it’s success. Special thanks go to Farai Mpofu (below), Oncocare Public Communications executive, who together with her team managed to put together the event.

Did you know that we have a retail pharmacy at our Oncology center?

The pharmacy caters to patients undergoing treatment so that there is no need to go off-site for prescribed drugs.

Over the counter drugs also available for walk in patients in the neighborhood. Do not hesitate to call the pharmacy for further assistance.