We hear how Yoren Chetty made the most of his year off after a cancer diagnosis by furthering his studies and raising money for Movember. Yoren Chetty (40) lives in Fourways, Gauteng. Yoren, a certified financial planner professional, was residing in Shanghai, China in October 2019 due to a business opportunity, when he woke up in the [...]

Dr Mark Torres-Holmes expands on swallowing difficulties in head and neck cancer and when the use of feeding tubes is required. Swallowing (deglutition) is a complex sequence of events, that when it goes wrong can cause significant morbidity (suffering). Cancer in sites like the mouth, pharynx (throat) and larynx (voice box) can result in difficulty [...]

Professional golfer, Robert Tilbury, shares the many battles and ongoing victories head and neck cancer brought him. Robert Tilbury (52) lives in Kempton Park, Gauteng. He has two daughters, Melissa and Dominique, and a grandson, Milan. Diagnosis In 2014, a lump starting to form under Rob’s jawline. After a doctor’s visit, he was put on antibiotics as the GP [...]

We learn more about the first Patient-Led Cancer Registry, what it aims to achieve and the driving force behind it. When Belinda Wagner was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, in 2016, she looked for information to help her navigate the challenges that lay ahead. “When I searched online, I found the South African National Cancer Registry (NCR). Although this was [...]

Dr Michelle Casey, a specialist anaesthetist, explains the rare condition of malignant hyperthermia during anaesthesia and the precautions taken to avoid it. What is malignant hyperthermia (MH)? Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially life-threatening condition which can occur under general anaesthesia (state of unconsciousness induced by medication to facilitate surgery) in certain people who have a genetic disorder of their muscles.  It’s triggered [...]

Dr Ria David sheds insight on gastric cancer, how it’s detected and the treatment options available. Gastric cancer stats and facts Gastric (stomach) cancer represented the 16th commonest cancer in women and the 11th commonest cancer in men, in 2017, according to the National Cancer Registry.  Most patients with gastric cancer have symptoms on presentation [...]

It’s a common misconception that children are too young to understand death and so they aren’t included in the grieving process. Unfortunately, in doing so, children aren’t given the opportunity to work through their own grief. How to help children Children will need to be given information that is appropriate for their age and emotional development. [...]

Global meat consumption and cancer diagnoses are on the rise. Is there a correlation to red meat? Annica Rust examines this. Recent studies found an association between a high intake of red meat and/or processed meat products and cancer; especially colon, breast and prostate cancer.3 What does this mean? Do you have to give up red meat [...]

Dr Lizle Oosthuizen expands on the current options of safeguarding sperm before testicular cancer treatment and answers beneficial questions. All treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) can affect the ability of the testicle to produce sperm in the future. The options for sperm preservation depend on factors, such as age and current state of health, but time [...]

Veronica Tift expands on achieving deep relaxation through therapeutic reflexology as a natural intervention through endorphin release and therapeutic touch.  As I walk into a retirement village, there is a sombre feeling as the aged, and often times forgotten residence keep a curious eye on me. With my bag in hand, along with my creams and towels [...]

Medical oncologist, Dr Ria David, updates us on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the delivery of oncology services. The World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Since then, mankind has witnessed sickness and death of a magnitude not seen since the Spanish Flu of 1918.  South Africa has experienced two waves of infection so [...]

Liezl Heyman tells us how the immunologist helps in the fight against cancer. As a cancer patient, you are very aware of the war you are waging on your cancer under the firm leadership of the general (oncologist) and his/her trusted lieutenants (surgeon, radiologist, histologist and pharmaceutical company) along with troops, such as chemotherapy nurses, pharmacists and [...]