Cancer crisis needs corporates

Editorial Comment
OCTOBER has been designated breast cancer awareness month.

OCTOBER has been designated breast cancer awareness month.

-Nonto Masuku

Annually in October, major breast cancer charities all over the continent organise health campaigns to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.

A variety of events around the world, including walks and fun runs, are organised during this month in a bid to raise funds.

These campaigns also offer information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

No one knows for certain what causes breast cancer.

It is safe to say that there are likely multiple contributors.

Cancer Research United Kingdom has singled out hormonal factors, or having children later in life, having fewer children and taking birth control pills as probable culprits.

In addition, nutritional deficiencies, exposure to environmental toxicity and estrogen dominance are the other factors that are said to be primary causes of breast cancer.

Statistics would suggest that the prevalence of cancer is on the rise in developing countries.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, 55% of new breast cancer cases arise in developing nations — a figure that could reach 60% by 2020 and 70% by 2050.

This is a crisis that needs our undivided and immediate attention.

The million-dollar question is: What are corporates in our own country doing to try and fight this problem?

Some of the problems such as environmental toxicity are actually created by our very own organisations that manufacture and use chemicals which show a link with breast cancer.

It goes without saying that the same organisations should be doing something to mitigate this problem.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR), also referred to as corporate citizenship, is defined by Investopedia as a “Corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on the environment and impact on social welfare”.

Basically, organisations are being called upon to take responsibility for the ways their operations affect society and the natural environment.

It is no longer acceptable for a corporation to enjoy economic prosperity in isolation from agents impacted by its actions.

Firms must focus on being good corporate citizens in addition to increasing their bottom line.

CSR is an important way for firms to show that they genuinely care about their environment, employees, customers and other stakeholders.

Further, it also brings with it other benefits in the long term. Researchers argue that these benefits include enhancing the image of the organisation as well as improving the competitiveness of a company and subsequently its financial success.

It is time for non-governmental organisations and the corporate sector to take up this responsibility and work together to build a better Zimbabwe.