Welcome to the first issue for 2023; the theme being The power of belonging. We couldn’t have asked for a better Cancer Warrior to start the year off than that of metastatic kidney cancer warrior, Riaan Baatjies; some stories touch you in a deeper way, especially when courage and awareness outweighs the obstacle. Read his story, I belong here and now.
Dr Daleen Geldhenhuys educates on Kidney cancer while Dr Lucille Sarah Singh explains What CAR T-cell therapy is, and how it will fit in the SA healthcare system.
We are pleased to hear that Lenalidomide has been added to the Essential Medicine List; Salomé Meyer from The Cancer Alliance helps us grasp why this is such a big win for advocacy, and how it changes treatment for multiple myeloma patients in the public sector.
Sleep disorders in cancer are common; Dr Michelle King explains what the causes could be and encourages sharing these issues with your treating doctor for better quality of life.
Hope you enjoy this issue.
Laurelle Williams
editor@wordforwordmedia.co.za
Photo by Antoinette van Staden Photography | Follow on Facebook & Instagram
IN THIS ISSUE
Kidney cancer
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Dr Daleen Geldenhuys educates us on kidney cancer and the treatment thereof. Kidney cancer, commonly known as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), originates within the renal cortex (outer layer of the kidney as opposed to the urine collecting system), and [...]
Riaan Baatjies – I belong here and now
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies When Riaan Baatjies got his warrior-themed tattoo, in 2016, little did he know that for the rest of his life he would be a warrior, facing Stage 4 kidney cancer. He shares how he grappled with mortality but most [...]
Nicole Coppin – Six years’ cancer-free
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Single mother, Nicole Coppin, shares her story of having periampullary adenocarcinoma (a bile and pancreatic duct cancer). What is periampullary carcinoma? Periampullary carcinoma is a broad term used to define the group of carcinomas arising from the head of [...]
Sleep disorders in cancer
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Dr Michelle King advocates informing your doctor about your sleep issues to help have a better treatment plan in place that adds quality to your life, mental well-being and physical health. Having a good night’s rest isn’t just about [...]
Body Stress Release
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Kathy Heapy explains what Body Stress Release is and the benefits of this non-invasive complementary therapy. What is Body Stress Release? Body Stress Release (BSR) is a unique, gentle and non-invasive health profession that originated in SA over 30 years ago. [...]
Colorectal cancer: frequently asked questions
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) shares the most frequently asked questions about colorectal cancer symptoms and screening. What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is a malignant (cancerous) disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow [...]
Anal cancer treatment
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Dr Sarita Retief helps us better understand the treatment of all stages of anal cancer by sharing a patient story. What is anal cancer? Anal cancer is when normal cells lining the anus change into abnormal cells and grow out of [...]
Unusual places you get melanoma
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Dr Mia Hugo enlightens us on the unusual places you can get melanoma. A few years back, a patient gave me a great book: The Emperor of All Maladies: A biography of cancer. If cancer is the emperor, then melanoma [...]
What is CAR T-cell therapy?
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Dr Lucille Sarah Singh details how CAR T-cell therapy works and how it will fit in the SA healthcare system. CAR T-cell therapy is the new kid on the block in the armamentarium of immunotherapy and cell and gene-based [...]
Implanted materials and radiotherapy – what is safe?
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies René Botha explains the impact that implanted materials have on radiotherapy treatment. Radiotherapy is a treatment modality used to treat various malignancies throughout the body. Treatment courses generally range from one to 10 days for palliative treatments to five [...]
Lenalidomide added to the Essential Medicines List
You can listen to this articles below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The Cancer Alliance and multiple myeloma patients are celebrating the win of lenalidomide finally included on the Essential Medicines List for the public sector. The Cancer Alliance launched its Access to Medicine campaign on World Cancer Day, 4 February [...]
Dietitian, Berna Harmse, educates us on nutritional status and the outcome of cancer, and offers tips for nausea. Read more here.
RESOURCES
Welcome to the first issue for 2023; the theme being The power of belonging. We have three survivor stories that proves there is power in belonging (not that we ever thought otherwise). Read more here.
Word For Word Media are pleased to present The 2023 Big C Survivor’s Guide, with the focus being the top five cancers
in South African women and men. We have also included the top five cancers affecting children. To all the survivors, our hope is that this booklet will assist in your journey, no matter how big or small, as long as you know you are not alone; we are here for you, we are oncology buddies.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.