“If I am to see death coming my way, I will fight it head-on. Who wants to die, leaving the pleasures of this world?” John Julius Hungwe (68), a survivor of prostate cancer, quips.
BY ROPAFADZO MAPIMHIDZE
Hungwe says prostate cancer seems to afflict many people, adding that it is a costly disease that requires constant checks and reviews.
This condition can adversely affect the psychological wellbeing of the whole family, especially spouses and girl children who mainly get involved in care-giving. The word cancer is generally a death sentence pronouncement on any individual, especially in Zimbabwe given the huge expenses associated with its treatment.
In addition, the health sector in the country is almost in a state of comatose, hence like any disease, prostate cancer festers in these conditions as some sufferers resort to using traditional herbs due to prohibitive costs associated with cancer treatment.
But if detected early, such people can actually outlive many of their peers and family members.
Hungwe cracks a lot of jokes about his walk to recovery, saying he does not want to die because “life is fun”.
The father of five categorically states that he will ensure that he finds money to complete his treatments, which he says cost $600- $800 every three months.
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“I started treatments in 2013, but I have a year to go. (Sadly) I have already missed two treatments because of financial constraints. It all started when I noticed that my frequency to the toilet to pass out urine had intensified to the point where I would wet my pants,” he recalls.
“I went to Karanda Mission Hospital in Mount Darwin where a biopsy and blood tests were taken when it was discovered that my PSA (prostate-specific antigen) was too high.”
Hungwe says he was then referred to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare where a small painless injection was shot into his groin, resulting in bringing the cancer under control.
“I subdivided my property and that money went towards these treatments but the money is all gone and yet I still have more treatments, for 2016. Proceeds from the sale of my property have dried up, but I am pleased to say that the PSA levels are now under control,” a hilarious Hungwe said as he sat on the balcony of his two-storey house in Hatfield, a middle-class suburb in Harare.
Prostate-specific antigen is a protein produced exclusively by prostate cells. There is a simple blood test to measure the PSA level and this may help to detect early prostate cancer. The chance of having prostate cancer goes up as the PSA level increases. However, PSA tests are mere proxy tests hence further diagnostic tests will be done to confirm whether a patient does have prostate cancer.
“When you begin approaching your 40s, it is necessary to get checked, but the unfortunate thing is that most men have a culture of not wanting to visit medical facilities and yet there is growing evidence that prostate cancer is one of the greatest threats to men’s health. This is because, in most of the cases, the disease is detected too late and due to cancer myths and misconceptions, others may attribute this illness to witchcraft. Such people end up visiting apostolic sects for faith healing but they eventually succumb to the disease,” Hungwe, who also lived in Germany for 27 years, says. He speaks fluent German.
“I returned from Germany in 2002, but my wife is still living there.”
His best friend, Bakie Padzarondora (70), who sat by his side during the interview, says he, too, developed similar symptoms of frequenting the toilet more often.
“I went to a local clinic here in Hatfield in 2003 and was referred to Parirenyatwa Hospital. I did not understand what was happening to me that time but following some thorough tests, a PSA test was conducted and I was cleared of cancer,” Padzarondora recalls, breaking into laughter.
“There were times I thought I would never regain my sexual life and this is something no man wants to experience.”
He says the frequency in urination continued when he went back home and when the hospital decided to book him for an operation that would take place six months later he thought that was too far.
“I decided to see a private doctor on September 9, 2004 who operated me with cash availed from my wife who was still working in the Diaspora. It cost over Z$3 million and that was a lot of money then. A catheter was inserted and a bag to carry around where urine could be discharged into until the wound from the operation had healed. Prostate cancer is a painful condition because when I went to Karanda Hospital, I saw men wailing in pain, jumping and screaming but that hospital has a caring and dedicated medical staff. I totally salute the doctors at that hospital,” Padzarondora adds.
A catheter is a thin, flexible, hollow tube that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder and allows the urine to drain out.
“I only paid $5 for consultation fee and the minor operation conducted to check on the enlarged prostate at Karanda Hospital. The prostate was fortunately not cancerous and I am still alive and enjoy drinking beer with my friend Hungwe. I go for yearly regular checks because prostate cancer can be very aggressive but if detected early it’s easy to treat and manage,” he says.
The road to recovery was long and rough for the two men.
Padzarondora particularly remembers how unpleasant the first few weeks were when the catheter was inserted. During that time, Padzarondora would invite friends and family for company to cheer him up.
Today, fully recovered from the surgery, Padzarondora experiences none of the side effects associated with a prostatectomy. In retrospect Padzarondora credits prostate cancer as giving him a true life wake-up call.
Conceding such an awakening usually occurs later in life, Padzarondora declares the two now have a new lease on life.
“It really makes you think about what is important — that’s what prostate cancer did for both of us. Hungwe and I now have an outlook that it’s just so important to enjoy life each day,” he says.
According to Cancer Centre department of information, research and evaluation’s Lovemore Makurirofa, there has been a significant increase in men who are living with prostate cancer but most of the cases could be presently at advanced stages. When that happens this reduces the chances of treatment success while increasing the disease management cost.
“Cancer diagnosis is also still costly and as a result the majority may fail to afford both the diagnostic and treatment costs. The other problem is that both the diagnostic and treatment services are highly centralised mainly in Harare and Bulawayo, thereby forcing people to travel long distances to access the cancer services. This results in other hidden additional costs such as transport, food and accommodation,” he says.
Makurirofa says the top most common cancers that afflict males in Zimbabwe are prostate, kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Testicular cancer is also common among young males.
“About 60% of all recorded cancer cases are HIV-related and most patients die because partners do not understand why this has happened, resulting in stress and psychological trauma,” Makurirofa adds.
Cancer patients therefore, require psychosocial support from partners, family and communities to improve their quality of life. This is what the Cancer Centre strives to achieve.
Other cancers that affect men include non-Hodgkins lymphoma, non-melanoma skin, oesophagus, eye, liver, stomach, and lung and colon cancers.
“At least 1 556 people died of various cancers in 2012 of which 9% succumbed to prostate cancer. That same year, 6 101 new cancer cases were recorded and 8% of that figure was prostate cancer cases,” Makurirofa says.
He adds that prostate cancer usually affects men 50 years and over. The prostate secretes a fluid that contributes 20-30% of the total volume of seminal fluid.
“It is unclear what causes prostate cancer but it is thought that people who have diets high in animal fats and milk products may have a higher risk of prostate cancer than those with diets which are high in green vegetables which is believed to have protective effect.
“In its early stages prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms. But when they do occur they may include;
l Difficulty in urinating
l A weak stream of urine
l Urinating more often than usual
l Blood in urine
l Pain and stiffness in the lower back, groin and hips
All men who are over 50 years should undergo screening annually. Available screening methods include Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) and Prostate Specific Antigen Tests (PSA).
These are done by medical practitioners to check for signs of development of cancer. Prostate cancer usually shows no signs and symptoms in its early stages, therefore it is imperative for all males over 50 years of age to go for screening even without experiencing any symptom of prostate cancer.
