Karoi Man Speaks Out After Losing Manhood to Cancer, Says Wife and Children Abandoned Him

KAROI – A 47-year-old man from Karoi has shared his painful four-year battle with cancer after losing his penis to the disease, saying his wife and children abandoned him as his condition worsened. Remigio Tom said his ordeal began with what he initially believed was runyoka, a traditional belief in parts of Zimbabwe that a man can be afflicted with illness or misfortune after engaging in an illicit sexual relationship.

Believing he had been cursed, Tom said he delayed seeking medical treatment and instead relied on traditional remedies.

"If I slept with a married woman, which has caused all this, may the husband forgive me," he said, describing the guilt he carried before receiving a medical diagnosis.

According to Tom, his condition continued to deteriorate despite using herbal treatments, prompting him to seek medical attention when the pain became unbearable.

Doctors later informed him that he was suffering from advanced cancer, not a traditional curse. The disease progressed aggressively, eventually resulting in the loss of his penis, dramatically changing his quality of life. Tom said the emotional impact of the illness was compounded by the breakdown of his family. He alleges that his wife left him as his health deteriorated and that their four children subsequently followed her, leaving him without immediate family support during his illness.

Now unable to care for himself, Tom says he is being looked after by his younger brother, who has assumed the responsibility of providing daily care despite limited financial resources.

The family is reportedly struggling to meet the costs associated with his treatment and ongoing care.

Health experts have repeatedly urged members of the public to seek prompt medical attention for unusual growths, persistent sores, unexplained swelling or chronic pain affecting any part of the body, noting that early diagnosis significantly improves treatment outcomes for many cancers.

Medical professionals also caution against delaying treatment because of assumptions that symptoms are linked to supernatural causes or traditional beliefs, as this can allow diseases to progress to advanced stages. Cancer remains one of Zimbabwe's leading non-communicable diseases, with health authorities continuing to encourage regular medical check-ups and early screening where possible.

Karoi man loses penis to cancer