World Boxing Federation (WBF) Middleweight champion Charles Manyuchi threw weight behind one of the country’s leading network providers, NetOne’s free Breast Cancer Awareness by turning up top the screening exercise in Mabvuku over the weekend.
Hundreds of women and a notable number of men showed up to be screened for free at Mabvuku Clinic with Manyuchi being part of the visiting men.
Speaking to 263Chat on the sidelines of the screening exercise, Manyuchi expressed shock on hearing that men can also be diagnosed of breast cancer.
“The campaign by NetOne has been an eye-opener, an eye-opener not to me only but the entire community. I just learnt that men can be diagnosed with breast cancer and that on its own encouraged me to come for screening today,” said Manyuchi.
Speaking at the same event, NetOne head of Public Relations, Dr. Elderette Shereni commended Mabvuku residents for the massive turn out.
“There are hundreds of women and a notable number of men that turned up for a free screening. The reason why we came to Mabvuku this October is that Mabvuku is a big community and we feel that some people don’t get access to free breast cancer screening,” said Shereni.
“Of the people that came for screening, some have been referred for further assessment and treatment. A program like this allows people to detect cancer early and be given options for treatment. We want to encourage all people in the community that anyone can get cancer, so get tested earlier,” added Shereni.
Selina Rangwanai, one of the residents from Mabvuku who got screened expressed happiness over the free screening exercise.
“In most cases, we are always home and such campaigns come and go with most of us not knowing. So it’s good this time around that NetOne has made it easier for us to be part of it and be screened free of charge,” said Rangwanai.
Cancer Association representative Junior Mavu challenged Mabvuku residents to thrive to know more about cancer taking into consideration the history of the deadly diseases in their family genealogy.
“People have to be educated and know more about cancer. If you have a history of cancer in your family, it means you have a high chance of having cancer hence one needs to be checked regularly and stay healthy,” said Mavu.
She added, “Women as young as 20 are getting diagnosed with breast cancer and as you also get older, chances of getting cancer increase, hence it has no age.”
In 2018, there were an estimated 2.1 million new cases of breast cancer and 627 000 deaths from breast cancer worldwide.