The nexus between drug abuse, cancer

Mashudu Mambo

OCTOBER is breast cancer awareness month that is observed internationally with a goal of raising awareness on breast cancer and supporting those affected by the condition.

This year’s theme is: “together we can make a difference” and a number of organisations globally partake in the event through offering a number of programmes like cancer screening and fundraising for the treatment of people with the condition.

In Zimbabwe breast cancer accounts for about 11.5 percent of cancers. According to the latest World Health Organisation (WHO) data published in 2020, breast cancer deaths in Zimbabwe reached 839 or 0.77 percent of total deaths.

In light of breast cancer awareness month, a number of organisations are conducting awareness campaigns sensetising people on the different causes of breast cancer.

However, there seems to be a state of neglect when it comes to campaigns and programmes to do with the effects of drug and substance abuse in relation to the causes of breast cancer.

Research has shown that alcohol consumption is a risk factor of breast cancer.

According to WHO alcohol is one of the major risk factors for breast cancer which has seen seven of every 100 new breast cancer cases being as a result of alcohol abuse.

Medical experts have noted that there is a need for society to be educated on the effects of drugs in causing breast cancer as they are one of the major risk factors.

Bulawayo branch co-ordinator of Island Hospice and Health Care, Dr Natsayi Mujuru said alcohol was a risk factor which not only causes breast cancer but a number of cancerous diseases.

“Alcohol is a risk factor for breast cancer just as it is for other cancers like colon, liver, mouth and throat, esophagus and liver. The more one drinks regularly the higher the risk of cancer, the risk increases by 1.2 percent in moderate drinkers and 1.6 percent in heavy drinkers respectively.

“Alcohol metabolism processes can lead to chemicals that can be damaging to the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), proteins and fats and can be cancer forming,” she said.

Dr Mujuru added that alcohol consumption could increase the blood levels of estrogen which is linked to breast cancer.

“Alcohol interferes with the body’s absorption of vitamins that have a protective effect and may increase blood levels of the hormone estrogen which is linked to breast cancer. People with alcohol and drug abuse disorders are less likely to be routinely screened for breast cancer,” said Dr Mujuru.

She said their goal during this breast cancer awareness month was tailor-made in raising awareness on breast cancer and urging people to adopt healthier lifestyles.

“Our campaign this year is to raise awareness around breast cancer risk factors and to encourage everyone to adopt healthier lifestyles as this reduces the risks of not only cancer but other non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, heart diseases and diabetes. We do not have a particular campaign targeting women who abuse alcohol and other substances,” said Dr Mujuru.

Dr Mujuru highlighted that there were a number of challenges in implementing programmes targeted at people abusing drugs.

“The challenges we have in implementing these programmes include time constraints for health professionals to screen for alcohol and other substance abuse, lack of training and guidelines to enable early identification of people at risk of substance abuse.

“We also have challenges of financial constraints that hinder effective awareness campaigns and the glamorisation and normalisation of alcohol drinking by the alcohol industry and society in general,” said Dr Mujuru.

She added that there was a need for a multisector approach in ensuring the success of campaigns aimed at addressing alcohol abuse.

“In addressing these challenges of drug abuse and breast cancer, there is a need for a multisectoral collaboration involving central and local government, non-governmental organizations, the health sector, alcohol industry, religious and traditional leaders and the community at large,” said Dr Mujuru.

It is clear from Dr Mujuru’s observation that there is a strong need for awareness campaigns to target women with drug use disorders as they are likely to be affected by breast cancer.

However, drug treatment and rehabilitation organisations admitted that their programmes and campaigns on breast cancer do not have information on the effects of drug abuse and causes of breast cancer.