We highlight the delay in diagnosis of neuroendocrine cancer (NETs) by sharing Masesi Ndaba’s story The breakthrough; it took over a year and half of copious visits to casualty, doctors and specialists before she was diagnosed. Dr Daleen Geldenhuys helps in this effort by giving an overview of Neuroendocrine cancer and explaining why it’s so hard to recognise, diagnose and treat.
Our hope is that the public will start asking about it and the delay in diagnosis can be improved.
With summer around the corner, Dr Ian Webster educates us on Preventing actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer, and as always sun care and sunscreen are key.
The importance of follow-up care after cancer therapy seems logical, but many still ask why so Dr Ria David details why there is a growing need for well-developed survivorship programmes.
Enjoy this issue!
Laurelle Williams
[email protected]
Photos by LuciaB Photography | Facebook @luciabphoto
Venue: Florida Yacht Club – Roodepoort
IN THIS ISSUE
Masesi Ndaba – The breakthrough
After a year and a half of Masesi Ndaba being in and out of hospital and told there is nothing wrong with her, she was finally diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. She details this taxing journey. Masesi Ndaba (36) lives in Fleurhof, Gauteng with her partner and two daughters, aged 14 and six. Misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis Masesi first started experiencing chest [...]
Neuroendocrine cancer
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys clarifies why neuroendocrine cancer is difficult to recognise, diagnose and treat. Neuroendocrine cells are distributed widely throughout the body. These cells serve as the communicator cells between surrounding cells and the brain. Neuroendocrine tumours can therefore arise in most organs; known by the nickname: Nearly Everywhere Tumours (NETs). While features of these tumours are [...]
The importance of sound nutrition after a cancer diagnosis
Dietitian, Berna Harmse, educates us on nutritional status and the outcome of cancer, and offers tips for nausea. Being diagnosed with cancer is a devastating event, and most people living with cancer, experience the day they get the news as a life-changing moment. Even after working in the field of oncology nutrition for 18 years, [...]
The CANSA Pain Manager App
We learn more about the free CANSA Pain Manager App, brought to you by The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), in association with the Centre of Community Technology at Nelson Mandela University (CCT), sponsored by Pfizer. Unfortunately, unnecessary pain is often experienced by patients during their cancer journey. Through the app, CANSA aims to help close [...]
Preventing actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer
Dr Ian Webster highlights the impact of actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer and the use of medical sunscreens containing photolyase for prevention and treatment. Skin cancers are the most common cancers worldwide and in SA. In SA, there are approximately 20 000 reported cases of skin cancer per year. Skin cancers are divided into two [...]
The importance of sound nutrition after a cancer diagnosis
Dietitian, Berna Harmse, educates us on nutritional status and the outcome of cancer, and offers tips for nausea. Being diagnosed with cancer is a devastating event, and most people living with cancer, experience the day they get the news as a life-changing moment. Even after working in the field of oncology nutrition for 18 years, [...]
Where are they now?
We catch up with four of our Cancer Warriors to see where they are now after overcoming cancer. Lawrence Brittain (31) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng with his wife. Lawrence was the first Cancer Warrior to be featured on the cover of Oncology Buddies. Since winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics after having Hodgkin [...]
Trish Blackburn – Que sera, sera
Metastatic lung cancer survivor, Trish Blackburn, tells us why she avoids gloom and doom doctors and how she keeps on pushing on. Trish Blackburn (57) lives in Sandringham, Gauteng with her husband, Chris. They have three adult sons and one grandchild. In November 2020, Trish experienced pain in the area of her kidneys and had shortness of [...]
What is the role of an embryologist?
We learn more about why embryologists are essential in assisted reproduction technology and the patient fertility journey. What is an embryologist? Embryologists are laboratory scientists who are qualified in handling and manipulating human gametes for the sole purpose of establishing pregnancy using assisted reproductive technologies. We work predominantly behind the scenes; however, our work significantly [...]
The importance of follow-up care after cancer therapy
Dr Ria David details why follow-up care after cancer treatment is of utmost importance. The term cancer survivor refers to any person who has been diagnosed with cancer. Survivorship encompasses the period from diagnosis, through active treatment, chronic or intermittent disease to cure or end-of-life care. In the period following active treatment of a cancer, follow-up and regular [...]
RESOURCES
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here and we are delighted to share all things pink in this issue, with the theme I define me.
Word For Word Media are proud to present a new navigational concept, The 2022 Big Survivor’s Guide, to assist you, the patient, through the strenuous times and guide you through all the humps and bumps and prepare you with the many questions you need answered. Let’s walk and talk through diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.