What this issue has taught meĀ is that there are many aspects of oncology treatment that many people (myself included) arenāt aware of. The story of MarykeĀ du Toit, who has Stage 4 pancreatic cancer (NETS), is a prime example with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (nuclear medicine)Ā coming into the spotlight. Despite experiencing an adverse reaction due to a quality defect, MarykeĀ sees this treatment as hope and anticipates receiving it again; read Whipple Warrior. Ā Dr Lizette Louw explains exactly how this treatment works in Lutetium-177 DOTATATE therapy.
October is Mental Health Month and Caroline Rich shares pointersĀ on how to Start the mental health conversation while Dr Michelle King explores The effect of invalidation. The power of a motherās intuition, by Bonni Suckling, touches on this, when she was repeatedly told by doctors that she is being paranoid yet deep down she knew something was wrong with her son, Jed.Ā
With the theme My happy and peaceful era, may all of you experience this era.Ā
Laurelle Williams
Editor – Word for Word Media
Photos by Mandy Steenkamp Photography | Follow @mandysteenkampphotography
I N Ā T H I S Ā I S S U E
Importance of genetic testing in prostate cancer
Kusha Kalideen unpacks why genetic testing helps determine prostate cancer treatment, specifically with the use of the targeted drugs, PARPi. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an aggressive, advanced form of prostate cancer associated with poor prognosis. While [...]
More than everyday nutrition
We learn the factual reasons behind why you need more than everyday nutrition when facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies This is why day-to-day management of your emotional and physical well-being is of utmost importance.2 Focusing on nutritional support [...]
Maryke du Toit ā Whipple Warrior
Despite a severe complication from a nuclear medicine treatment, Maryke du Toit, who has metastatic pancreatic cancer, would have it again if she had the choice. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Maryke du Toit (53) lives in Pretoria, Gauteng with her husband. They have [...]
Start the mental health conversation
Caroline Rich shares tips on how to talk to your doctor about your mental health. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Each person is different as to how they deal with emotional issues in life. Being diagnosed with cancer is overwhelming and brings about fear [...]
Bessie van Antwerp – Finally on target
After eight years of changing treatment regimens to manage Stage 4 lung cancer, Bessie van Antwerp happily reports a major tumour shrinkage thanks to the targeted drug, osimertinib. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Bessie van Antwerp (73) lives in Weltevreden Park, Gauteng with her [...]
Fuel for the fight
Dietitian, Meagan Atcheson, highlights the power of nutritional support in cancer care. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Why nutrition matters during and after treatment When facing a cancer diagnosis, treatment often becomes the central focusāwhether itās chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, or a combination. But [...]
Uterine and ovarian hereditary cancer syndromes
Slindokuhle Sibiya describes the hereditary cancer syndromes that increase the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Cancer happens when cells in the body grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. There are many different types of cancer, usually named [...]
What is the Whipple procedure?
Dr Leanne Prodehl explains the intricate process of the Whipple procedure. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A Whipple procedure, also known as a pancreaticoduodenectomy, is a complex surgery removing multiple abdominal organs. The procedure, first described in the 1930s and refined in the 1940s, [...]
Lutetium-177 DOTATATE Therapy
Dr Lizette Louw explains how peptide receptor radionuclide therapy using Lutetium-177 radiation targets neuroendocrine tumours. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What are neuroendocrine tumours? Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are a group of rare cancers that originate in cells found throughout the body, and act as [...]
Diabetes and cancer
Dr Angela Murphy looks at the correlation between diabetes and cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies A diagnosis of either diabetes or cancer causes significant stress. There is no doubt that if both conditions are present this causes true distress. Although cancer isnāt a [...]
The power of a motherās intuition
Bonni Suckling depicts her motherās intuition in a fictional monologue of her late son, Jed Brady Thomas-Suckling. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The knowing My name is Jed. I liked Buzz Lightyear, Ben10, Cars, my family, and my stinky dog. I liked playing with [...]
The air we share
Dr Andrew Robson sheds light on how environmental carcinogens not only affects humans but companion animals too. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies As a veterinarian in SA, I have studied, observed, and treated many animals whose illnesses were not caused by bacteria, viruses, or [...]
The effect of invalidation
Dr Michelle King discusses the important topic of when your emotions are unseen and how invalidation impacts your healing journey. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Living with a diagnosis of cancer often brings with it a whirlwind of emotions: fear, grief, anger, sadness, and [...]
Super Survivor, Sana Ledwaba, has reached her happy and peaceful era too. While interviewing her, I got so angry with her surgeon and could hear Prof Carol-Ann Benn repeating, there is no such thing as an emergency mastectomy. Iām grateful that she was brave enough to ask for help when she needed it. Read The freedom of well-being.
The 2025 Big C Survivorās Guide: How is it diagnosed? Ā
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.