Living with prostate cancer

Chief Moabi tells us how he lives his life with prostate cancer, the side effects of hormone therapy, and how the Tsakane CanSurvive Support Group has helped him.

Chief Moabi (67) lives in Tsakane, Gauteng with his wife, Nkele. They have one adult son (28) and two grandchildren.

Four years ago, in 2015, Chief went to Tsakane Clinic for a check-up. He wasn’t in pain and was feeling fine. Though, every six months he would do a health check, checking for HIV, TB and the sorts. It was here where it was picked up that he may have prostate cancer. The clinic then referred him to a public hospital where a biopsy was done and blood samples were drawn. The diagnosis was confirmed.

“I didn’t know much about prostate cancer. Plus, you know the name cancer…it has got a… I was shocked at first but thereafter I accepted it and told myself that I must attend every treatment,” Chief explains. 

The then 64-year-old was put on oxybutynin tablets. This drug is used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate. 

He still takes them currently. However, in early 2018, he was prescribed a monthly hormone therapy injection. 

“At first, it was monthly but this year it was changed to every four months, around there. I think I am on my fifth injection. I go for my next injection on the 2^nd of December.”

Hormone injection administration

Chief explains that when he goes for the injection at the public hospital, he collects the sealed injection at the pharmacy and then goes to the urology day clinic where a nurse administers the injection. “You must always check that the injection is sealed when you get it from the pharmacist. Then I go to the sister and she injects it into my stomach, parallel to my belly button.”

Living with the side effects

Unfortunately, Chief does suffer with side effects from the hormone therapy injection. He says, “Since I have been on this injection, I have hot flushes, dry mouth, and my hands and feet have become hard. Another thing is it has affected me sexually and my body hair seems to be disappearing.”

Chief adds that his wife, Nkele, has accepted his sexual changes and has been very supportive the past four years. “I had to go explain everything to her and she is okay. I am lucky because some other guys have lost their wives due to this problem.”

After he has a hot flush, he feels very tired but then he relaxes for 10 minutes and refreshes himself with cold water. 

The pensioner is also of the opinion that the doctors who treat him don’t communicate well. “They don’t discuss anything with you. They don’t even ask how I am feeling. I have to tell them, ‘Doctor, I have this problem. What can be done about it?’ Then I get told, ‘Just taken your medication and you will be okay.’”

This is proved by the fact that Chief doesn’t even know what stage prostate cancer he has. He says he has never been told. 

CanSurvive Support Group

Thank goodness for the CanSurvive Support Group in Tsakane, run by Ronnie Nkabinde, who was featured on the Nov/Dec 2018 cover. Chief says this is where he was educated on his cancer, the treatment he is on, and how to manage the side effects. 

“A doctor, who was a survivor himself, gave a talk and explained almost everything. I met Ronnie at the hospital and that is how I got involved. 

I have been part of the support group ever since it started last year September. We are grateful to Ronnie because he is always helping us. If the men show him the percentage of their test results, he will tell them what stage cancer they have,” Chief says.

Cancer in different cultures

When asked about why cancer has such a stigma in black cultures, Chief responds, “Ya, I know about that nonsense. I don’t know whether it is because of lack of knowledge…I don’t understand it. Though, I can say that most men don’t attend the clinics and that is why you see a lot of them are dying.”

Because of this, Chief has told all his neighbours about his prostate cancer and encourages them to come with him to the clinic and get checked. “But, out of 10, you will find that only one will go,” he adds. “I really don’t know why us, black men, are so stubborn. The change in this thinking is going at snails pace and I really don’t like it because people are dying out here.”