I love this issue’s theme Hope to the rescue; hope will always be a game changer. Hope allows you to move forward, no matter what dreadful situation you’re in. Hope gives you the strength to hold your own and keep fighting.
In George Eliades’ case, his wife gave him hope during his tongue cancer treatment. I wish I could have recorded the rare vulnerability when he wept while saying this, to show the real strength of a man baring his emotions. Read his story in My hope came from my wife.
Hope can come in many forms and Dr Kent Pluke writes on Hope found in testicular protheses. After reading Emotionally I felt out of character, Bronwen Watson’s story of having a brain tumour removed, and Bonni Suckling’s piece How to be present while your child is going through treatment, it’s evident that hope is ever-present. And that gives me even more hope.
May you gain as much hope as you can from this issue and then please go spread the hope.
Laurelle Williams
[email protected]
Cover by Mandy Steenkamp Photography | Follow @mandysteenkampphotography
IN THIS ISSUE
Melanoma and pregnancy: all the facts
Dr Sumayya Ebrahim states all the current findings and facts regarding melanoma and pregnancy. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The incidence of melanoma has been steadily increasing over the last 40 years. Whilst the peak incidence occurs at 65 years, statistics show that about [...]
The changing landscape of childhood ALL
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) remains a challenging and life-threatening disease. However, with new treatments and insights into the disease more children are being cured than ever before. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies What is ALL? Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is a cancer of the white [...]
How to be present while your child is going through treatment
Bonni Suckling, founding member of Rainbows and Smiles Foundation, advises on managing fatigue, stress and concern so you can still be present as a parent while your child is undergoing treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies When I was presented with this topic, I [...]
PET-CT scans: moving oncology care forward
Technological advancements in cancer diagnostics play a critical role in improving cancer treatment outcomes. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies By precisely determining the location, size, stage and molecular characteristics of tumours, early detection rates of metastatic and recurrent disease can be improved, and advancement [...]
When is an ulcer not an ulcer?
Dr Leanne Prodehl, a surgical gastroenterologist, outlines when an ulcer is not an ulcer and may be stomach cancer. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a benign condition where an imbalance in the production of stomach acid and the protective [...]
Bronwen Watson – Emotionally I felt out of character
Bronwen Watson shares the lead-up and after-effects of having a craniotomy to remove a brain tumour. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Bronwen Watson (42) lives in Centurion, Gauteng with her fur babies. Last year February, I awoke feeling strange. My vision was odd, and [...]
Bladder cancer 101
Dr Thobile Goba-Mjwara educates us on bladder cancer and when catheters and adult diapers would be needed. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Bladder cancer, also known as urothelial carcinoma, occurs when a growth of abnormal tissue develops in the bladder lining. It’s common in [...]
More than everyday nutrition
We learn the factual reasons behind why you need more than everyday nutrition when facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment. This is why day-to-day management of your emotional and physical well-being is of utmost importance.2 Focusing on nutritional support will help your body during treatment.3 When you have cancer, your body’s requirements for nutrients increase, [...]
Ovarian Cancer Patient Journey
Here is a patient journey to help show you what your treatment may look like if you are diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Click here to download a PDF of the ovarian cancer patient journey. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies References American Cancer Society (ACS). [...]
George Eliades – My hope came from my wife
George Eliades shares how the taste of his favourite treat led to a diagnosis of tongue cancer and how his wife’s support gave him hope throughout treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies George Eliades (52) lives in Parys, Free State with his wife, Wilna. [...]
How is tongue cancer diagnosed?
Dr Mark Torres-Holmes, a head and neck surgeon and ENT, details how tongue cancer develops and the method of diagnosis. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies There are so many parts of the body that you realise are important only when there is a problem [...]
Treatment for tongue cancer
Dr Mark Torres-Holmes details the treatment decision-making process and the likely phases of treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies The best treatment decisions are made involving the patient with a multi-disciplinary team which includes the head and neck surgeon, radiation oncologist, medical oncologist, radiologist, [...]
Oral hygienists: the essential allies
Melanie Wright unpacks the invaluable role oral hygienists play in the care of head and neck cancer patients undergoing treatment. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer present with unique challenges to their oral health-related quality of life. This [...]
Building a larynx cancer survivor community
Wasifah Noorbhai, speech-language therapist and audiologist at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), tells the story of how a larynx cancer survivor community was built. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Head and neck cancer, including laryngeal cancer, presents a significant health challenge in SA, [...]
Hope found in testicular prostheses
Dr Kent Pluke, a urologist, gives us a brief rundown of testicular cancer and shares the hope that testicular prostheses give men regarding positive body image and confidence. You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies Testicular cancer unpacked Testicular cancer represents only 1% of male cancers [...]
RESOURCES
Our Super Survivor, Nonhlanhla Sephula, is on a mission to give hope to other people who need it. She has already facilitated a much-needed breast surgery for a 14-year-old deaf and mute girl. Read more in Ploughing back.
In the 2024 Big C Survivor’s Guide, we focus on preparing for treatment; as we are well aware of the anxiety and overwhelming emotions that come part and parcel with a cancer diagnosis and facing treatment.
Thank you to the great group of healthcare experts who have shared their knowledge from their respected medical fields and much gratitude to the advertisers who have come onboard to support our 2024 Big C Survivor’s Guide booklet.
We still have The Big C Online Directory to help you find any A-Z listing of all things cancer related.