By Tendai Chisiri
For most people living in Mount Darwin and surrounding districts, getting cancer care means a long, costly trip to Harare or Bulawayo. This Friday, that distance shrinks.
Cancerserve Trust Zimbabwe and partners will take free screening, education, and specialist support directly to Karanda Mission Hospital — a rural facility near Mount Darwin in Mashonaland Central that serves thousands with almost no access to oncology services.
Our writer managed to have exclusive interviews with Cancerserve Trust Zimbabwe, Miracle Missions Vimba and Karanda Mission Hospital officials before the event.
Cancer is a disease where abnormal cells grow uncontrollably. Early detection dramatically improves survival because treatment is more effective, less expensive, and less invasive when cancer is found at Stage I or II.
Main treatment options include surgery to remove tumors, chemotherapy to kill cancer cells, radiation therapy, hormone therapy and targeted drugs, and palliative care for symptom management in advanced stages.
In Zimbabwe, late diagnosis is the biggest challenge. When people present late, treatment becomes harder and survival rates drop. That is why awareness, screening, and referral pathways are critical — especially in rural areas where transport, cost, and lack of information create deadly delays.
Karanda Mission Hospital serves a large rural catchment where specialized cancer services are virtually non-existent.
Dr. Anna Mary Nyakabau, Cancerserve Zimbabwe Founder and Chairperson said the hospital has been a key partner for that reason.
“Karanda Mission Hospital has been one of Cancerserve Zimbabwe’s valued outreach partners because it serves a large rural catchment area in Mount Darwin and surrounding districts, where access to specialised cancer services is limited. Many patients must travel long distances to access oncology services in Harare or Bulawayo, and these barriers often result in delayed diagnosis and treatment.”
Cancerserve believes that geography should never determine a person’s chance of surviving cancer. By taking services directly into rural communities, we are helping to reduce inequalities in cancer awareness, early detection and referral.”
The outreach on Friday is designed for both women and men and goes beyond just screening. Services will include breast cancer education and clinical breast examinations, cervical cancer awareness and screening for women, prostate cancer awareness, education and screening guidance for men, eye checkups sponsored by SpecSavers, general wellness checks including blood pressure, blood sugar, BMI and lifestyle counselling, education on cancer risk factors, warning signs and prevention, individual counselling and psychosocial support, referral of patients requiring further investigations to facilities like Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, and patient navigation and follow-up support.
Dr. Nyakabau said the goal is broader than testing.
Cancerserve believes that geography should never determine a person’s chance of surviving cancer. By taking services directly into rural communities, we are helping to reduce inequalities in cancer awareness, early detection and referral.”
Beyond screening, Cancerserve works to bridge the financial gap. The organization has partnered with specialist radiologists, surgeons and oncologists for ward rounds, donated 5 chemotherapy chairs to allow treatment nearer home, and mobilizes essential cancer medicines through donors for public institutions.
The scale of the challenge is stark. According to the Zimbabwe National Cancer Registry 2018 data, 7,841 new cancer cases were registered nationally. 57% were in women and 43% in men. Cervical cancer accounted for over 38% of female cancers, breast cancer 13%. Among men, prostate cancer was 28%.
The most alarming statistic is that approximately 81% of cancer patients present with Stage III or Stage IV disease, when treatment is more difficult and survival is poorer.
Dr. Nyakabau said Cancerserve’s experience on the ground mirrors that data.
“Although district-specific statistics for Karanda are not routinely available, Cancerserve’s outreach experience consistently demonstrates that many rural patients delay seeking care because of long travel distances, transport costs, limited awareness of early symptoms, fear and stigma.”
Common cancers seen at Karanda include cervical, breast, prostate, esophageal, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, melanoma and others.
Dr. Paul Thistle , Karanda Mission Hospital Medical Director and Lead Gynaecologist, described the situation at the hospital.
“Most our patients came late mostly in palliative care mode… For our patients free screening it’s like ‘manna from heaven’ if I can say that.”
Barriers in remote areas remain significant, including distance, transport costs, shortages of equipment and specialists, fear, stigma, and financial barriers to treatment and follow-up.
JacquelineAnderson, Miracle Missions Vimba Trustee and Key Leader , said outreach is vital to close that gap.
“In rural communities, this is particularly important because patients may face long distances to referral hospitals, transport challenges, financial constraints and limited access to specialists. Regular screening and awareness can therefore help identify disease earlier and connect people to appropriate care before they become seriously ill.”
Cancerserve measures success not just by numbers screened, but by referrals completed, follow-up done, and whether communities start seeking care earlier.
Dr. Thistle said the hospital is committed to that follow-through.
“Yes we want do follow up for those tested positive and offer ongoing support and treatment… let’s unite for a cause, let’s work together as a team so that we can reduce cancer and cancer related deaths. Together we can make a difference!”
Cancerserve Trust Zimbabwe is a private voluntary organisation launched in 2018 to bridge gaps in cancer care education and financial barriers to treatment.
Dr. Nyabau made a call for wider investment in rural cancer care.
“Cancer affects both women and men, and everyone deserves access to early diagnosis and quality treatment regardless of where they live… Cancerserve calls for continued investment in decentralised cancer services, stronger referral systems, community awareness and education, increased screening opportunities for both women and men, improved diagnostic capacity in rural areas, and financial protection for patients.”
This Friday, the team from Harare travels to Karanda with that mission: to bring hope, early detection, and a pathway to treatment closer to home.
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