Battling skin cancer, stigma

In a recent interview Nyathi said cases of skin cancer were common among people with albinism due to the lack of sunscreen cream and cancer detection machines.

He said stigmatisation was largely to blame for the absence of health services to cater for people with albinism.

“Stigmatisation has played a major role in the way the condition of albinism has not been included in the provision of basic health services. Skin cancer among persons with albinism is common and just as potentially fatal as HIV/AIDS, but the Government is reluctant to take action to prevent its occurrence, let alone categorise persons with albinism as a group at risk,” said Nyathi.

The Association loses an average of two leaders due to skin cancer every year. “All these leaders are below 35 years. Corroborative findings indicate that in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa persons with albinism do not live beyond 30 years due to skin cancer. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are too expensive and so out of reach of most people,” said Nyathi.

Apart from skin related health concerns, persons with albinism are short sighted. The low vision disability is caused by uncontrolled light coming into the iris. “Poor vision adds to the health challenges as their education is compromised. This also compromises chances of employment and ability to pay for basic health care,” said Nyathi.

A 1997 nationwide survey revealed that people with albinism were neglected in practically all aspects of social services. Children with albinism still endure harassment and abuse in schools from both teachers and children.

Employers are reluctant to employ people with albinism for fear of causing discomfort among other workers or frightening away potential clients. Nyathi said the survey revealed an unusually high rate of divorced parents of children with albinism.

”Parents could not understand how a completely different looking person could be their child. Such children either remained with their mothers or were passed on to grandparents in the rural areas to later die of overexposure to the sun,” he said.

A World Health Organisation study in 2006 revealed that persons with albinism in Africa were deprived of basic health services vital for their survival and recommended that albinism awareness be included in the school curricula, especially to correct misconceptions about albinism.

The Minister of Health, Henry Madzorera, said government was committed to addressing the plight of albinos. “There is no shortage of the sunscreen cream because it can be purchased even in the supermarkets but I think the problem here is that they are saying they do not have money to purchase it and I urge them to approach us so that we can find out how we can be able to assist,” said Madzorera.

On the issue of skin cancer detection machines, Madzorera said: “The main issue is not about detection but rather prevention. The most important thing is the advice we give them to avoid skin cancer. For example we have been encouraging the use of the sunscreen cream, wearing long sleeved shirts and hats to prevent the ultra violet rays that cause skin cancer.”