THE Lesotho Government pays between M150 000 and M200 000 for each cancer patient who has to be accommodated, transported and treated, and also depending on other individual requirements.

Cancer related deaths are estimated to be 1 189 per year in Lesotho with a mortality-to-incidence ratio of over 80.7 percent while cancer of the cervix is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.

While most women suffer from breast cancer, men are faced with a debilitating prostate cancer, mostly in Maseru followed by Leribe and Berea.

Up to January 2021, Sankatana Center of Excellence, Oncology and Cervical Cancer Clinic had provided different types of treatment ranging from symptomatic, radiation, thermotherapy, chemo-radiation, surgery to a total of 488 oncology clients.

Treatment is mainly done surgically in the country while chemotherapy, radiation require patients to be referred to Bloemfontein, South Africa, for further management and advanced treatment.

Living with a new body shape after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago is a challenge for ’Malillo Mokhesi.

Her problem started when one of her breasts had to be cut off, a totally different feel and look from what she knew herself to be.

Ms Mokhesi tells Maseru Metro that she is living from day to day putting a brave face to the treatment, surgery and chemotherapy.

“The struggle to survive with a new body proves to be even a bigger challenge than I thought,” she adds.

Along with emotional, mental and financial stress, she says cancer and its treatment can be devastating.

 “Other changes can be permanent like loss of body parts especially after breast surgery,” she said.

She was quick to note that she was lucky to get family support in order to cope with her condition. “Regardless of the changes I am going through, they are always there for me,” she added.

Director General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health, Dr ’Nyane Letsie says understanding and recognising the inequalities in cancer care around the globe was fundamental to educating and raising awareness.

In this year’s commemoration of the World Cancer Day themed “Close the care gap”, Dr Letsie said cancer was now a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Lesotho.

“This is the fifth cause of death among adult men and second among female adults,” she also said.