Khupe underwent a successful operation for breast cancer in November last year in South Africa and was back at work in Zimbabwe. However the Deputy Prime Minister told Radio VOP yesterday (Saturday) that she has been admitted back into a cancer hospital for radiation therapy treatment.
“I have been admitted back in hospital here in South Africa, but this time it’s for the finally 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,”Khupe told Radio VOP by phone from South Africa yesterday (Saturday).
Radiation therapy also called radiotherapy is a highly effective way to destroy cancer cells in the breast that may stick around after surgery. Radiation can 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 and vowed to soldier on.
Breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the tissues of the breast. Most women have a higher risk for breast cancer if they have a close relative who has had breast, uterine, ovarian, or colon cancer. About 20 – 30% of women with breast cancer have a family history of the disease.
Khupe has been the Deputy Prime Minister in Zimbabwe Government of National Unity since February 2009. She is the first woman appointed to this post since Zimbabwe’s independence.
Last week she was nominated for a prestigious award that recognizes outstanding Africans with a passion for developing their communities. She was nominated for the African Achievers Award an innovative project by CAASSUK, an international organisation.
In 2010 she was elected as the President for the United Nations Aids/Global Women Power Network for Africa.
Post published in: News