DELTA TAKES CANCER SCREENING TO PRISONS

A MUTARE male prisoner, who was suspected of having breast cancer, has breathed a huge sigh of relief after the lump was only diagnosed as a hormone imbalance.

An ultrasound sound scan showed that he had gynaecomastia, which is an enlargement of the breast tissue found in men or boys.

The patient was part of 401 inmates who benefitted from a breast, cervix and prostate cancer screening and education conducted by the Cancer

Association of Zimbabwe.

The campaign targeted five prisons including Chipinge, Mutare Farm and Remand, Little Kraal, Nyazura and Rusape prisons and was bankrolled by Delta Corporation.

The company’s general manager corporate affairs, Patricia Murambinda, said they were proud to be part of this worthy cause.

“We are proud to have sponsored the screening of breast, cervix and prostate cancer in the five prisons around Manicaland Province.

“Our partnership with CAZ allowed us to kill two birds with one stone as both prison guards, their families and inmates benefitted from the rigorous screening.

“This serves a lot in helping our people detect the cancer earlier and save lives,” said Murambinda.

A total of 108 breast examinations conducted on female inmates all came normal .

Only one from Chipinge prison had precancerous cells and was referred to Chipinge hospital where she was treated with Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP).

The 292 male inmates who were tested for prostate cancer all had negative results.

CAZ expressed its gratitude to Delta Corporation for generously supporting its vision and mission.

The organisation also reported that there were two prisoners were found to have Karposi Sarcoma during the outreach programme and CAZ is negotiating with prison authorities to have them reintegrated at Parirenyatwa Hospital.