09 Feb 2024

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death and diminished quality of life.

Orapa Mine Hospital Superintendent Dr Baagi Motshereganyi, said this during World cancer day commemoration at Mmatshumo in Boteti on February 8.

He said between 2012 and 2019,over 24 000 cases of cancer were recorded in Botswana, adding that an average of 1200 to 1800 new cases of cancer were registered every year.

Regrettably, he said many people in the country presented late to health facilities with cancer symptoms.

Dr Motshereganyi said more than 70 per cent patients showed up with stage three and four which were considered late stages of cancer. He said Cervical cancer was the leading cause of cancer related deaths in Botswana and breast cancer remained the second leading cancer among women.

Dr Motshereganyi said Boteti district had over the recent years had a steady increase in the number of new cases of cervical cancer.

“This is worrisome,” he said.

He said Debswana together with the government had made huge investments in the health sector in Boteti district.

Some of the deaths,he said, could be prevented through simple measures, appropriate screening, diagnostics and treatment services were availed.

Dr Motshereganyi said a lot could still be done to save lives and that could be through joint efforts.

“It starts with simply committing a few minutes every day to being physically active, choosing to eat healthy every day and choosing to stop tobacco use as well as avoiding harmful alcohol consumption,”he said.

All the said choices, Dr Motshereganyi said, could improve quality of life as well as prevent non communicable diseases (NCD) such as cancer.

The theme of 2024 commemoration: Close the Care Gap, he noted emphasised on the need to jointly take action.

Dr Motshereganyi said the commemoration day served as a reminder of the growing public health burden caused by cancer as well as continued efforts to combat cancer and reduce its impact on individuals as well as communities around the world.

He said World Cancer day was a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about cancer, promoting early detection, prevention, treatment and advocating for improved access to healthcare services for cancer patients. Ends