Sex is a powerful emotional experience and improves general health and well-being. Though, if you’re over the age of 60, sex can present challenges. Nonetheless, it’s possible, with better understanding and an open mind, for couples to have a physically and emotionally fulfilling sex life. Natural changes Naturally, sex might be different  when you’re 70 or 80 than when you’re twenty something. Your body has changed and your sexual functioning might not be the same. On the other hand, as an older adult, you may feel wiser than you were in your youth, and know what works best for you…

Kate Paterson (31) recollects the days of her autologous stem cell transplant and high-dose chemotherapy. The first time I was allowed outside was a Sunday morning. The skeleton staff nurses delivered the results of my 2am blood tests without ceremony. I snuck a peek. My white cell count had been building slowly but fiercely from a flat 0 to a magnificent 1. This meant many things to me. I would be able to see the faces of my family again, no longer hidden behind masks. And, soon, I would be going home. But, at that moment, it meant I could…

Pembrolizumab has been registered in SA for two types of cancers. The first is a type of lung cancer, called non-small cell lung cancer. It’s registered for patients who have failed or     progressed after initial treatment, such as chemotherapy. Usually the drug works better if the expression of PD-L1 (programmed cell death ligand-1) on the cancer is more than 51% as shown in clinical trials. The amount of PD-L1 on the…

What is an autologous stem cell transplant? An autologous stem cell transplant is also known as high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. The word autologous (of cells and tissues) means obtained from the same individual. Not from a donor. The cells of the individual are collected in advance and stored. Then after high-dose chemotherapy is given to treat the underlying disease, the cells are returned to ‘rescue’ the patient’s bone marrow. What illnesses are autologous stem cell transplant used for? An autologous…

Lenmed Ahmed Kathrada Private Hospital, one of the eleven hospitals of the Lenmed Health Group, officially opened a state of the art cancer institute in Lenasia, this September. Lenmed is confident that the Ahmed Kathrada Cancer Institute (AKCI), through its exceptional  team of high calibre specialists and  a modern infrastructure, will make world-class cancer diagnoses and treatment options accessible to neighbouring communities. Mr Amil Devchand, COO of the Lenmed Health Group, says, “We will ensure a positive impact to the quality of lives of our patients and their families.” The new cancer institute features premium technology in a warm, patient-friendly, modern …

Dr Ronwyn van Eeden explains when a port for chemotherapy is needed. What is a port? It’s a device or drum, usually made from plastic or metal, that is placed under the skin of the chest. The drum is covered by a thin silicone membrane, through which a specialised needle is inserted. The port is completely under your  skin and you can usually only feel a small bump. From that a thin tube, called a catheter, runs directly into a large vein. Your chemotherapy runs through this catheter into the vein. There are different brands of ports. A topical anaesthetic…

If you have survived cancer, you are more than likely dealing with the unfortunate consequence – sexual dysfunction. Corina Avni offers treatment options. If your cancer was in the pelvis or involved the sex hormones, your sex life is more than likely to be a common casualty of war. The good news, however, is although many cancer survivors suffer sexual dysfunction after cancer and its treatments, the majority overcome anything from discomfort to severe pain. Why the change? Sexual dysfunction after cancer ranges from not-quite-the-same-as-before to a-no-go-zone. This is dependent on: Who you are and your pre-cancer sexual function e.g….