A Zvishavane-based cancer survivor, Miss Dube, has urged members of the public to prioritise early cancer testing, warning that many lives are being lost because people delay or avoid screening — despite the service being offered for free in many health centres.
Sharing her story during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Miss Dube said she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in December before undergoing surgery in January. She later received 20 sessions of radiotherapy and continues to take cancer treatment tablets as part of her five-year recovery plan.
She credited early detection and consistent treatment for saving her life.
“Most people don’t survive because they refuse to get tested. But if cancer is caught early, it doesn’t spread much and can be treated,” she said. “Once it spreads to vital organs like the liver, it becomes very difficult or even impossible to treat.”
Miss Dube urged both women and men to get screened regularly, saying breast cancer does not only affect women.
“Men can also get cancer, and it’s just as dangerous. Early testing saves lives,” she added.
She encouraged fellow survivors to stay positive, remain strong, and continue living courageously, saying her journey was proof that cancer can be beaten with early diagnosis and proper treatment.
