Deputy Prime (DPM) Minister and MDC- T vice-president Thokozani Khupe has been readmitted into a South African cancer hospital for her cancer radiation therapy treatment.
Khupe, who underwent a successful operation for breast cancer in November last year in South Africa, confirmed the latest development over the weekend, adding it a was routine follow-up therapy.
I have been admitted back in hospital in South Africa, but this time its for the final cleaning which is called radiation therapy treatment after my November operation. I think I might be discharged next week and I will be back in Zimbabwe then, said Khupe.
Radiation therapy is a highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery. Radiation is believed to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence by about 70%.
The Deputy Premier, who is also the MDC-T legislator for Makokoba constituency, went public about her condition in June last year.
Women have a higher risk of breast cancer if they have a close relative who had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20-30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Khupe was last week nominated for the African Achievers Award, a prestigious award that recognises outstanding Africans with a passion for developing their communities. The award is sponsored by CAASSUK, an international organisation.
In 2010, she was elected as the president for the United Nations Aids-Global Women Power Network for Africa.
