Cervical Cancer Archives

Cervical Cancer The basics of cervical cancer

December 1, 2023 Word for Word Media

Dr Cattleya Gaspar highlights the basics of cervical cancer with importance on HPV vaccines and regular Pap smears.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and the second most common cancer among women in South Africa.1,2 However, it’s one of the most preventable forms of cancer. As a South African female, it’s therefore pertinent to educate yourself about this disease. Empower yourself by getting to know your risk factors, which screening methods are available and how to prevent…

Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer – frequently asked questions

December 1, 2023 Word for Word Media

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With cervical cancer being one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in SA, even though it’s the easiest female cancer to prevent with the HPV vaccine and regular Pap smears, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) shares the most frequently asked questions.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

What causes cervical cancer? Almost all cervical cancers are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common virus that can be passed from one person to another during sex. There are many types of HPV; some types…

Cervical Cancer Caryl Pienaar – No tears, no anger, no pity

July 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Caryl Pienaar shares her journey of cervical cancer, and recently uterine cancer for which she is still undergoing active treatment.

You can listen to this article below, or by using your favourite podcast player at pod.link/oncologybuddies

Caryl Pienaar (59) lives in Radiokop, Gauteng. Cervical cancer In 2016 after a few years of being menopausal, I started spotting and visited my gynae. He performed a hysteroscopy (procedure that visualises the inside of uterus), the results showed nothing too concerning. A month later I experienced more spotting, so I went back. I figured that at 53, I definitely wasn’t going to start a family and asked him to…

Cervical Cancer Cervical cancer researcher awarded the Order of the Baobab

February 7, 2022 Word for Word Media

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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

February 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

December 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

August 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

November 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

February 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

July 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

February 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

March 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…