Welcome to our male-focused issue. The theme is Men Fit For Purpose and the first prime example is Donald Stewart who has been living with multiple myeloma for 25 years. On five occasions he has been told there is nothing more that can be done; yet he is still here. Read Twenty-five years of grace.
Richard Laskey is a great example of how good can come from bad. Despite a history of addiction, today he is giving back in multiple ways. He shares how after his wife’s passing from cancer, he pulled his life together for the better. Read Open your eyes and look within.
In Oncology Man, Lailaa Cajee speaks about Prostate health on your plate while Dr Jireh Serfontein explores Understanding testosterone deficiency in men.
Dr Andrew Robson highlights the beauty of Companion animals as caregivers.
May every man reading this be fit for purpose.
Laurelle Williams
Editor – Word for Word Media
I N T H I S I S S U E
Malnutrition and oral nutritional supplements
Dr Daleen Geldenhuys helps us understand the causes of malnutrition while Meagan Atcheson speaks on the role of oral nutritional supplements in oncology care.
LIFEGAIN® Protein-to-the-Max Smoothie
Sneak in your greens the delicious way with this Protein-to-the-Max Smoothie. You’ll never guess it’s packed with spinach, zucchini and LIFEGAIN® Advanced Nutritional Supplement. This refreshing blend is perfect for those looking for a creamy, plant-based option packed with vitamins and minerals. Servings: 1 Ingredients: 6 Total time: 5 minutes INGREDIENTS 200ml unsweetened almond milk [...]
Resilience is a child wearing cancer
Bonni Suckling shares how she concluded what resilience really is: a child wearing cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies I was in the final stretch of my postgraduate Paediatric Palliative course, struggling to grasp the medical terms and complex concepts. Then came the assignment: [...]
Companion animals as caregivers
Dr Andrew Robson explores the unseen role of companion animals as caregivers in cancer recovery. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A cancer diagnosis is life-altering, not just for you but also for your loved ones. The journey through treatment is often filled with uncertainty, [...]
Richard Laskey – Open your eyes and look within
Richard Laskey candidly talks about his struggle with addiction even during his late wife’s cancer diagnosis and how he chose to get sober and live a life he is satisfied with. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Richard Laskey (52) lives in Bedfordview, Gauteng with his fiancée, [...]
Understanding testosterone deficiency in men
Dr Jireh Serfontein educates us on the causes of testosterone deficiency in men as well as natural and medical interventions to manage it. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is testosterone deficiency? Testosterone deficiency, or hypogonadism, is a common endocrine disorder affecting a significant proportion [...]
Prostate health on your plate
Did you know prevention can start on your plate? Lailaa Cajee expands on prostate health on your plate. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Let’s be honest, when we talk about men’s health in SA, prostate health isn’t usually top of mind. But with prostate cancer [...]
Cryoablation: a new treatment option
Dr Gareth Bydawell explains cryoablation, its indications, patient selection criteria, procedural expectations, and the long-term success rates. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies As an interventional radiologist, I often encounter patients seeking alternate treatment options for cancer, especially when facing surgery or a long course of chemotherapy. [...]
Donald Stewart – Twenty-five years of grace
Donald Stewart shares his 25-year journey of living with multiple myeloma, giving all glory to God. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Donald Stewart (60) lives in Bedfordview, Gauteng with his wife, Madeleen. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons. Diagnosis Donald was [...]
Practise self-care
Dr Kerry-Ann Louw explains why self-care needs to be done on a regular basis to be effective. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A key word when thinking about self-care practice is practise. Self-care strategies need to be practised regularly for them to be effective in promoting [...]
Boosting oxytocin naturally
Fiona Hardie unpacks the power of oxytocin and gives easy ways to boost it naturally. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies "That’s what falling in love really amounted to, your brain on drugs. Adrenaline and dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Chemical insanity, celebrated by poets." This quote by [...]
Cytokine release syndrome
Every drug has a possible side effect. Dr Garrick Laudin expands on cytokine release syndrome, a side effect caused by certain immunotherapies. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is cytokine release syndrome? Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an inflammatory response that may affect all organ systems [...]
Physical activity to manage CIPN
Wendy Vermaak shares how specialised physical activity and balance training is seen as an effective management tool for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a holistic approach of a combination of medication and supplements, physical therapy, [...]
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy
Gabriella Kourie explains the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and how to manage it. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and often challenging side effect that you may experience with certain chemotherapy drugs. These chemotherapy drugs are predominantly platinum compounds [...]
Welcome to our male-focused issue. We feature breast cancer survivor, David Knipe; he shares his story of managing diabetes as well as a breast cancer diagnosis. Read Fit and resilient.
The 2025 Big C Survivor’s Guide: How is it diagnosed?
This year we have focused on the diagnostic procedures of various cancers (solid tumours, blood cancers, and childhood cancers) to help you understand what tests will be done, why they are done, and which doctors are likely to do them, as well as the referral pathway. Our hope is that this will outline what you can expect.
Check out the Big C Survivor Guides
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.