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Erschienen in:
13.07.2019 | Global Breast Cancer (AB Chagpar, Section Editor)
Breast Cancer Treatment in Resource Constrained Countries: a Zimbabwean Perspective
Erschienen in: Current Breast Cancer Reports | Ausgabe 3/2019
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Purpose of Review
Breast cancer is becoming a significant burden to the healthcare system in Zimbabwe. The financial toxicity of breast cancer treatment is a significant problem for patients even in the developed world. This review looks at the management of breast cancer patients in Zimbabwe relating it to the other developed nations.
Recent Findings
Despite the tremendous progress made by science in the care of women with breast cancer over the past few decades, most of the women in Zimbabwe are yet to benefit from this progress. There is poor access to modern screening methods, quality chemotherapy drugs and reliable radiotherapy services and lack of evidence-based medicine derived from our own settings. Out-of-pocket payments for healthcare are still the major health-funding model, and it denies most women access to quality and appropriate healthcare services.
Summary
An increase in the number of medical specialists treating breast cancer over the past 10 years has resulted in a slight improvement in diagnostic and treatment capability of the country; however, resources for breast cancer management in Zimbabwe remain far from being adequate. Universal health coverage (UHC) if achieved through the drive to attain the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will improve care for breast cancer patients.