Cervical Cancer | oncology buddies your guide to cancer care

Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer researcher awarded the Order of the Baobab

Feb 7, 2022 Word for Word Media

Prof Lynnette Denny, Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, was awarded the Order of the Baobab last year November. We find out what this means to her and more about her research. Prof Lynette Denny (64) lives in Greenpoint, Cape Town. Order of the Baobab When Prof Denny received an email from the Presidency, she almost deleted it. “I thought it was junk mail as I didn’t know anything about it. It came out of the blue.” The email stated that she was to be awarded the Order of the Baobab (silver)…

Cervical Cancer HPV vaccination in SA

Feb 7, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Prof Lynette Denny advocates that HPV vaccination has the capacity to eliminate cancers associated with HPV and will save literally millions of lives thus it should be strongly supported. There are multiple types of human papillomavirus (HPV) that have been identified over the years (more than 200) but most types are associated with benign disease, which can be problematic. Regarding cancer though, HPV infection with high-risk types are strongly associated with cancer of the genital tract which include the vulva, vagina, cervix and anus. These types, particularly types 16 and 18, are known to cause at least 70% of cancers…

Cervical Cancer Boitumelo Makhathini – Dealing with early stage cervical cancer

Dec 2, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Mother of three, Boitumelo Makhathini, shares how she learnt she had early stage cervical cancer this year and advocates for young girls to get vaccinated and women to go for regular check-ups. Boitumelo Makhathini (44) is divorced and lives in Randfontein, Gauteng with her three children (22,13,10). In late February this year, Boitumelo started having abdominal pain and was bleeding. “At first, I thought it was just my menstrual cycle, even though it was abnormal bleeding. Then I thought it was a bladder infection so I consulted my GP; he gave me antibiotics and pain killers, however, it continued. I saw him twice…

Cervical Cancer Carcinoma of the cervix

Aug 2, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Dr Nirasha Chiranjan, a radiation oncologist, revises the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of carcinoma of the cervix. South Africa has a high incidence of carcinoma of the cervix and it is a leading cause of cancer mortality. of all gynaecological cancers, cervical cancer is the focus of the most government public policy work and active intervention. This is largely because cervical cancer is the only gynaecological cancer that can be detected in a precancerous stage through population screening. In nations that run organised screening programmes, cervical cancer screening has been one of the great public health successes of the…

Cervical Cancer Rae van Nieuwenhuizen – Conquering the aftermath

Nov 30, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Cervical cancer survivor, Rae van Nieuwenhuizen, shares how she dealt with radiation dermatitis. Rae van Nieuwenhuizen (55) lives in Hillcrest, Kwa-Zulu Natal with her husband. They have two adult children. Stage 2B cervical cancer I was diagnosed in October 2016 with Stage 2B cervical cancer at age 51. The tumour I had was roughly 5x4x2cm in size and was starting to infiltrate the walls of the cervix. My oncologist and gynaecologist proposed radiation, chemotherapy and intracavitary brachytherapy. Despite many possible side effects being explained to me, I have such zest for life and decided to go ahead and deal with things should they occur. The…

Cervical Cancer (Sex) Life after radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer

Feb 3, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Dr Mariza Tunmer, a radiation oncologist, tells us more about how radiation may cause side effects that can affect sexual health. Then Hester van Aswegen, a physiotherapist, advises what can be done to overcome these side effects. THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality used to treat many, if not most, patients with cervical cancer. When aiming to cure a patient diagnosed with cervical cancer, the treatment course will usually entail daily treatments, Monday – Friday, over six to seven weeks. Where possible, a low weekly dose of chemotherapy should be combined with radiotherapy as this improves cure rates….

Cervical Cancer The birth of twins and Amara Grace

Jul 29, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Mother of twin boys, Anja Berkowitz, shares how her battle with cervical cancer while pregnant ultimately birthed her new business, Amara Grace. Anja Berkowitz (35) lives in Fourways, Gauteng with her husband, Jordan, and their twin sons, David and Noah (3). Cervical cancer and choices In September 2015, about a year and a half into fertility treatment, Anja fell pregnant. Jordan and Anja were thrilled to be expecting twin boys. Their life-long dream was becoming a reality. Three months into the pregnancy, Anja experienced complications, including bleeding. After changing doctors in January 2016, the expectant mother was told she had cervical…

Cervical Cancer A survivor, through and through

Feb 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Angelinah Matimolane tells us how an asthma attack ultimately led to the discovery of cervical cancer, then how that spread to her stomach, and how 13 years later she is still fighting fit. Angelinah (Angy) Matimolane (47) lives in Soweto with her husband, daughter and three grandchildren. Strong family history of cancer There is a strong family history of cancer in Angy’s family. One member passed away from cervical cancer while another member passed away from lung cancer. Angy’s brother passed away from stomach cancer, in 2016, and, currently her uncle is fighting lymphoma cancer. January 2006 On the way back…

Cervical Cancer Sisters fight cervical cancer simultaneously

Mar 26, 2018 Word for Word Media

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It’s hard to imagine that cervical cancer affected the lives of two sisters in the same year, and in very different ways. Sisters, Alrita Groenewald and Tessa Supra, share their rare but moving story. The younger sister Alrita (41) was given less than 30% chance of survival, while her sister Tessa Supra (46) chose to silently carry the burden of her subsequent diagnosis. Alrita’s cervical cancer diagnosis comes just after giving birth to her third child. In January 2015, Alrita, then six months pregnant, complained to her gynaecologist of excruciating back pain. Prevented from taking strong medication due to her…

Breast Cancer Outwit, outlast, outplay

Feb 2, 2017 Word for Word Media

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Photos by Chantal Drummond Photography | info@chantaldphoto.co.za | www.chantaldphoto.co.za

To celebrate her 10th year of being cancer-free this year, Zelka Spoja-Vieira is throwing a survivor themed party. She outwitted breast cancer, outlasted cervical cancer and outplayed everything life has thrown at her. The mother of two shares her story with us.

Zelka Spoja-Vieira (43) lives in Constantia Kloof, JHB. She is in the process of a divorce. She has two sons, aged 14 and 11.

At the age of 33, Zelka was going about her wife duties – cleaning house…

Cervical Cancer The Cervical Cancer Vaccine

Feb 2, 2017 Word for Word Media

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We have all heard about the HPV vaccination and how it can save lives but how exactly does it work? Specialist gynaecologist, Dr Pam Pillay, expounds on this in light of January being Cervical Cancer Awareness Month.

Cervical cancer remains the most common gynaecological malignancy in women, and is associated with the highest cancer-related mortality rate. Its prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa remains high due to inadequate screening, lack of education, low compliance amongst women, and health inequity. Cervical cancer and pre-cancer is caused primarily by the human papilloma virus…

Archives Sweating out the day’s worries helped me beat cancer

Dec 11, 2015 Laurelle Williams

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In 2014 Discovery Health member Chantel Rall completed her first full Ironman triathlon. But what makes her fitness journey remarkable is that just two years prior, she had cervical cancer. Sitting in the doctor’s rooms in April 2012, 34-year-old Chantel Rall heard the words that she had been dreading, “You have cervical cancer.” Fast-forward just 26 months though, Chantel had not only fully recovered, but she had also completed her first full Ironman triathlon. Here’s how she did it. “It all started with a quick visit to my doctor for my yearly check up. I hadn’t been for a couple…