Our theme is Courage is showing up and the quote that comes to mind is: “Do it alone. Do it broke. Do it tired. Do it scared. Just do it.” This shows the importance of showing up. No matter what life obstacle you’re facing, if you show up, ready to face whatever it is, half the battle is won.
Courage comes in all different sizes; we see this in our cover story Thriving Toddler where Karabo Nstiane showed courage when she was a mere four-months-old when she was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma.
Courage is not only needed for the person with cancer but also their loved ones and Lucy Nkosi depicts this beautifully in her poetically-written piece Celebrating life amidst the shadows of despair.
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys writes on Vague cancer signs that people often ignore; this is such vital information for everyone to know. Dr Lucille Sarah Singh explains how Choosing a haematopoietic stem cell match works; you will learn so many interesting facts from this article.
Happy Women’s Month to all the women who show courage every single day!
Laurelle Williams
editor@wordforwordmedia.co.za
Photo by Antoinette van Staden Photography | Follow on Facebook & Instagram
Venue: Missouri Spur Steak Ranch, Key West Shopping Centre, Krugersdor
Dressed by Rainbow and Smiles
IN THIS ISSUE
A bird’s eye view of Hodgkin lymphoma
Dr Garrick Laudin helps us understand the disease process of Hodgkin lymphoma and the available treatments thereof. What is Hodgkin lymphoma? Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease process typically confined to the lymph nodes and lymphatic structures throughout the body. Lymph nodes are collections of tissue distributed strategically throughout the head, neck, chest, armpits, abdomen and [...]
Uterine cancer – incubating the wrong cells
Dr Mia Hugo educates us on the risk of developing uterine cancer and the treatment options that are available. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is uterine cancer? It’s a general term that describes cancer in your uterus, with two main subtypes being endometrial cancer and uterine [...]
Caryl Pienaar – No tears, no anger, no pity
Caryl Pienaar shares her journey of cervical cancer, and recently uterine cancer for which she is still undergoing active treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Caryl Pienaar (59) lives in Radiokop, Gauteng. Cervical cancer In 2016 after a few years of being menopausal, I [...]
Genetic testing: blood or saliva?
Tasmyn Scriven explains the pros and cons of both saliva and blood sample testing for genetic analysis. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Germline mutations Germline mutations are genetic changes that occur in the DNA of germline cells (eggs and sperm). These mutations can be inherited [...]
Lung cancer – Frequently Asked Questions
The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) shares the most common questions that are asked regarding lung cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is lung cancer? Cancer that starts in the lungs; it may spread to lymph nodes or other organs in the [...]
The importance of dental visits before head and neck oncology treatment
With September being Oral Health Month, Dr Michael Michael explains why it’s vital to have dental visits before head and neck oncology treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A diagnosis of cancer is a life-altering event for those being diagnosed as well as for those [...]
NuAngle Medical – Light at the end of the tunnel
An expert’s insight into erectile dysfunction and urinary stress incontinence. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies EDUCATION FOR SA ONE-ON-ONE As part of our preparations to welcome Dr Shah to South Africa, local Urologists assisted by NuAngle Medical have been participating in a series of [...]
Lucy Nkosi – Celebrating life amidst the shadows of despair
Lucy Nkosi poetically details how she and her family are dealing with her mother’s recurrence of leiomyosarcoma. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Lucy Nkosi (32) and her mother, Philisiwe Nkosi (61) lives in Soweto, Gauteng. I sit in the waiting room, anxiously thinking about my mother's [...]
Vague cancer signs that people often ignore
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys elaborates on the most common vague cancer signs and the reasons why people ignore them. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies When I meet a new patient, we always start to talk about who they are; important observations are made regarding age, life [...]
Sputnik Ratau – Sharing our experiences is important
Sputnik Ratau explains why he is open to share his experience of prostate cancer in hopes of other men learning what to look out for. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Sputnik Ratau (65) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng. He is a widower with six children and three [...]
Preparing your child for treatment or surgery
Fiona Hardie explains the benefits of breathwork when preparing your child for treatment or surgery. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Witnessing a child go through illness and surgery is traumatic and heart-breaking. As parents, you feel powerless, helpless and terrified but try hard to remain [...]
Hepatoblastoma
Prof Gita Naidu educates us on hepatoblastoma, a rare childhood cancer of the liver. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is hepatoblastoma? Hepatoblastoma is a cancer of the liver in children under three years of age and affects 1-2 million children globally. Symptoms A [...]
Karabo Nstiane – Thriving toddler
Kegomoditswe Nstiane shares the journey of her daughter, Karabo, who was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma at four months, and how she is now an energetic three-year-old who is thriving. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Karabo Nstiane (3) lives in Krugersdorp, Gauteng with her parents, Kegomoditswe Nstiane and Herbert [...]
Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Dr Gem E. George-Tharakan educates us on chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and why targeted therapy is the optimal treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL)? CLL is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Specifically, it’s [...]
Choosing a haematopoietic stem cell match
Looking for a haematopoietic stem cell match? There’s more to it then swiping right. Dr Lucille Sarah Singh explains why. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is a haematopoietic stem cell transplant? A haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HPSCT) offers the potential for cure in certain [...]
RESOURCES
Read Regina Gosebo’s story, An experience of a lifetime; she definitely showed courage by not giving up while running the 2023 Comrades Marathon and all the way through her breast cancer treatment, and that is why she is our Super Survivor.
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.