Doctors at Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo successfully removed a 30kg tumor from the abdomen of a 39-year-old lady.
Portia Gowero told the Chronicle that she had lived with the tumor for two years and had spent all of her belongings attempting to find a treatment.
Gowero, a mother of seven, sought medical assistance at Mutare Provincial Hospital and the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals but was unable to be treated.
On Wednesday, she underwent a two-hour surgery to remove the tumor at Mpilo.
A team of ten doctors was able to remove the tumor, which had been developing since February 2021.
Gowero said when the tumour started developing, she never took it seriously as she suspected that she was carrying her eighth child.
The Cancer Council says tumours can begin anywhere in the stomach but most begin in the glandular tissue on the stomach’s inner surface.
Below are some of the stomach cancer signs and symptoms:
- a painful or burning sensation in the abdomen
- heartburn or indigestion (dyspepsia)
- a sense of fullness, even after a small meal
- nausea and/or vomiting
- loss of appetite and/or weight loss
- swelling of the abdomen
- unexplained tiredness or weakness
- blood in vomit
- black-coloured faeces
