Angela Mutangagavi-Makuvire: Walk the path to life.

Forty-year-old Muropa says many women are “not even aware” of the common symptoms of cancer. others are “clueless” about where to find medical help.

She was one of the lucky ones. She had support from family and friends and was able to cover her medical expenses. But she warns that treatment can also entail hidden costs, because “sometimes you are required to bring double scans and x-rays”.

Muropa is quick to challenge the myth that radiation treatment is painful. “You are not burnt, and you do not even feel any heat. It’s just that your skin gets darker,” she explains.

She is grateful for the “level of professionalism” she experienced from doctors, and for the support she received from the Cancer Centre, where “you are assured of motivation to soldier on”.

The centre’s knowledge manager, Tafadzwa Chigariro, says cancer is on the rise in Zimbabwe, and “the existing health delivery system is not coping”. although government is trying to improve accessibility to treatment facilities, “the situation remains dire,” he adds.

The cost of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy is beyond the reach of most Zimbabweans. Radiation is offered at only two institutions: Parirenyatwa hospital in Harare, and Mpilo in Bulawayo.

Chigariro said the Cancer Centre acts as an “information bridge”, while lobbying government for policy change.

He agrees that education is the best form of prevention, and adds that “counselling and complementary therapy is offered to patients and survivors, because the disease is an emotionally daunting experience”.

In special circumstances the centre offers cancer patients free medication, though lack of resources limits such initiatives.

But women living with cancer remain determined to beat the disease – and to support those who are still battling it.

Angela Mutangagavi-Makuvire has survived ovarian cancer but has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumour. Like Muropa she is eager to speak out about her experiences.

“I want everyone who reads this story to emulate me, and walk the path I have walked. to life!” she says. Mutangagavi-Makuvire is adamant that women “should not be intimidated by cancer because, when detected early, it can be cured”.

But she laments that “if you are not financially stable, you fight a losing battle” when it comes to accessing quality treatment.

Dr Anna Nyakabawo, an oncologist at the Parirenyatwa group of hospitals, agrees. She feels that rural women are particularly affected because “their lives are shrouded with competing priorities” and they often lack access to information, early diagnosis and treatment.

Nyakabawo believes it is vital to “up-scale political commitment” so that pap smears are available to every woman. She points out that 30% of cancer-related deaths are due to cervical cancer, and there are more than 600 000 deaths worldwide every year. Research shows that 60% of cancer-related illnesses are also HIV-related, she said.

Increasingly, medical practitioners like Nyakabawo are calling for the establishment of more cancer detection centres. Such centres, they say, would ultimately save the government money. “it costs between $300 – $400 to remove a breast lump, but it costs at least $5000 to remove a breast,” Nyakabawo explains.

One in eight women develops breast cancer during their lifetime, but a proper examination helps detect 90% of all breast lumps.

If Sheila Muropa was minister of health she knows exactly what she would do to help cover cancer-related costs. “Government should introduce a cancer levy,” she says, “just like they did for HIV & Aids.”

Have your say:

›› Link to Facebook page: Saving Serenity ›› Photo gallery: Serenity Saenz

Crystal Saenz worries that daughter Serenity Saenz will never be the same after being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia two months ago.

The last two months haven’t been kind to the shy 9-year-old, who has been prodded by needles at the MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital.

“She was just a happy and carefree kid,” Crystal Saenz said. “Nothing out of ordinary and she was always active and smiling. it was just unfair how her life and routine was changed in such a short period of time.”

Serenity Saenz has biphenotypic acute leukemia, or BAL. it is a form of leukemia that is only present in 2 to 5 percent of children diagnosed with acute leukemia, according to Arlynn Mulne of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Paul L. Foster School of Medicine. Symptoms of the disease include fevers, pain, bone pains, bruises and bleeding.

Crystal Saenz said she will have to pay more than $200,000 in hospital bills; that does not include future treatments in El Paso and follow-up care at MD Anderson. To help pay for her medical expenses, family and friends teamed up with Sun City Comedy Club, which raised $1,000 under the Comedy for a cause program. but more is needed as Serenity’s treatment continues.

Before her diagnosis, Serenity Saenz was anything but sick. she enjoyed writing in her journal at school and had many friends. Serenity played soccer when she was 4 years old and later tried her hand at T-ball.

“She was a joy to have in class,” said Cecilia Bazan, a fourth-grade teacher at Robert E. Lee Elementary School. “She was quiet but got along with all her peers. and everyone thought she was a very cute little girl.”

Serenity’s belongings have remained untouched inside her desk, awaiting her return, Bazan said.

“One day she was here and the next week she wasn’t,” Bazan said. “When you have a child gone from the classroom, it changes the dynamic. Her classmates worry for her and wonder when she will be back.”

Everything changed on Halloween, when Serenity began to have constant fevers. Crystal Saenz at first thought it wasn’t serious. but the fever returned and after a few days, Crystal Saenz grew concerned and decided to take her daughter to the doctor.

“It seemed like the cold,” she said. “But she wasn’t exhibiting any other signs like a cough or a runny nose.”

On Nov. 8, a blood test confirmed that Serenity’s white blood cell count was six times above the normal range — a sign that something was wrong.

“We rushed over to the hospital, where she was admitted into the ICU (intensive care unit),” Crystal Saenz said. “They monitored her and tested her. it was a night full of just waiting.”

Just before 3 a.m. Nov. 9, it was confirmed that Serenity had cancer.

“Once she was diagnosed and the doctors told us how rare it was, it was clear to me that she needed to be treated in Houston,” Crystal Saenz said.

In that instant, their lives were changed and Saenz and her daughter were transported by helicopter to Houston.

The family was housed at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston.

Serenity’s days are no longer filled with homework or play dates with friends. she undergoes chemotherapy. the side effects are rough and it’s a struggle to get Serenity to continue treatments, her mother said.

“When a pediatric patient is being treated with chemotherapy it can affect them in a number of ways,” said Cesar Nunez, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Patient Care at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital. “With pediatric patients, they tend to lose their hair and can be in a great amount of pain or nausea.”

the first month of treatment took such an emotional toll on Serenity that waking up each morning was agony. she had painful mouth sores and cramps and felt so weak that she refused to get out of bed for days at a time, which immobilized her. Bending down was painful, and her legs were too sore to use. For a week, she refused to eat or drink anything and wanted to be left alone to sleep.

“It was something so new to hear her cry and say she didn’t want to wake up anymore,” Crystal Saenz said. “I couldn’t do anything but watch her go through this.”

But after a month of painful reactions, Serenity’s mood has been positive. instead of staying in bed, Serenity shakes her mom awake, eager to start the day and play.

During the week, Serenity does schoolwork at the Ronald McDonald House. it helps keep her mind off of the pain of treatment, but it’s not the same. she misses her friends and family at home.

“I can’t believe I’d ever say this, Mom, but I miss school,” she said.

Depending on her progress, she may go home as early as February, which Crystal Saenz hopes is the case as the cost of treatment accumulates each day.

“She’s just looking forward to going back home,” Crystal Saenz said. “She’s eager to come back and is thinking about trying out soccer again.”

Alex Hinojosa may be reached at ahinojosa@elpasotimes.com; 546-6137.