Colorectal Cancer Know the symptoms of colorectal cancer
February 7, 2024 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Dr Daniel Surridge expands on the symptoms and lack of symptoms in colorectal cancer.

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

Cancer of the colon and rectum is caused by a slow-growing benign tumour of the bowel which becomes malignant later. It usually takes five to 10 years for this benign lesion to grow into an early cancer and then develop into a late cancer. During this long time period, there are very few symptoms that the cancer is there at all. In fact, few people with colorectal cancer…

Read More
Colorectal Cancer How is colorectal cancer diagnosed?
February 7, 2024 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Dr Daniel Surridge explains the process of how colorectal cancer is screened and diagnosed.

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

Since colorectal cancer has very few symptoms, it can be very hard to diagnose without specialised tests. You may not know that you have it until it’s too late. For this reason, it’s a good idea to screen for this cancer from the age of 45. Screening is performed in patients who don’t have symptoms but are at risk for this cancer. Screening for colorectal cancer There are…

Read More
Colorectal Cancer Understanding hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
February 7, 2024 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Monica Araujo delves into common hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes and sheds light on their potential links to breast cancer.

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

Colorectal cancer remains a significant global health concern, affecting millions of individuals each year. While many cases are sporadic, a considerable number have a hereditary component, emphasising the importance of understanding hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes. Polyposis vs. non-polyposis syndromes Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes can be broadly categorised into two groups: polyposis syndromes and non-polyposis syndromes. Polyposis syndromes Polyposis syndromes are characterised by developing…

Read More
Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer
May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

Dr Daleen Geldenhuys gives us an explanatory rundown on colorectal cancer and the treatment thereof.

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

Incidence Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a frequent cancer worldwide and can be prevented by early detection and removal of precancerous lesions. It’s the third most common malignancy and the second most deadly cancer worldwide. There is an estimated 1.9 million incidence cases and 0.9 million deaths worldwide every year. The incidence of CRC is higher in highly developed countries, and it’s increasing in middle- and low-income countries due to westernisation. Moreover,…

Read More
Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer: frequently asked questions
February 8, 2023 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope

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

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) shares the most frequently asked questions about colorectal cancer symptoms and screening. What is colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer is a malignant (cancerous) disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow and multiply out of control. Because the rectum is part of the colon (the large intestine/bowel), cancer of either the colon or rectum (passageway that connects the colon to the anus) is referred to as colorectal cancer. It’s sometimes referred as colon cancer. Does…

Read More
Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer screening in South Africa
October 1, 2021 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Dr Leanne Prodehl expands on the various colorectal cancer screening tests available in South Africa. Who gets colorectal cancer? Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second highest cause of cancer deaths globally.¹ The mortality remains high with 20-25% of patients having metastatic disease at presentation.² CRC incidence is associated with countries with higher socio-economic status, linked to changes in diet, lifestyle, and obesity.3 The majority of people diagnosed with CRC are > 50 years4 but patients are presenting at younger ages.⁵ Colorectal cancer in South Africa In South Africa, CRC is the fourth most common cancer for women, the…

Read More
Colon Cancer Hip Hop artist, Oxijin, talks colon cancer
February 25, 2021 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
South African Hip Hop artist, Oxijin aka Rumacques Gelderbloem, tells us how his colon cancer diagnosis challenged his confidence as a 29-year-old male. Oxijin aka Rumacques Gelderbloem (35) lives in Worcester, Western Cape. As a healthy 29-year-old male that enjoyed playing rugby for a community team, Rumacques’ cancer diagnosis came as a surprise. He says, “It completely challenged my attitude towards life, at first I thought it was negative, but the journey had its own lessons.” However, it was a long progression to see the diagnosis in the upbeat manner he does now. Diagnosis In 2015, Rumacques experienced severe stomach…

Read More
Colon Cancer Lerato Monyatsi – Summiting the mountain called colon cancer
February 8, 2021 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Vibrant Lerato Monyatsi shares how she is climbing her way to victory over colon cancer. Lerato Monyatsi (39) lives in Kagiso, Krugersdorp, Gauteng with her 11-year-old son, Aobakwe. Misdiagnosis Being an extremely active, nature loving, backpacking hiker and supermom, never did Lerato, a single mother, think she would be faced with the big C.  “It was around December 2019 when I first encountered discomfort in my abdomen. I was bloated and constipated so I went to see a doctor. I was prescribed medication to flush all the waste out and the doctor concluded that I had haemorrhoids and medicated as such,” she says. …

Read More
A day in the life Social work in a colorectal unit
February 5, 2021 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Pierre Matthee informs us of how social work in healthcare operates and the role of a social worker in a colorectal unit. Social work in healthcare Several myths exist in the field of social work. One is that social workers only work with abuse, the removal of children from their homes, and/or handing out food parcels. It may be surprising to know that there are numerous areas that one can specialise within the field of social work, such as the specialty of social work in healthcare. Like many of the areas of specialty, the South African government is formalising it…

Read More
Colon Cancer Colostomy surgery
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
We learn the ins and outs of the colostomy surgery procedure. What is a colostomy? A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the large bowel to exit through the abdominal wall. The end of the large bowel is stitched to the skin to form an opening, called a stoma. Why do I need a colostomy?  A colostomy may be needed if, as the result of an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system, or you can’t pass stools through your anus. You may have a colostomy to treat: Colon/rectal cancer Crohn’s disease  Diverticulitis Anal cancer Vaginal…

Read More
Colon Cancer Seven tips to eat right
March 20, 2019 Word for Word Media
#SpreadTheHope
Berna Harmse, a dietitian, shares seven tips to eat right. International guidelines1 apply for those who want to reduce their  cancer risk and for cancer survivors.  So, eating well may help you reduce your risk of cancer and beat cancer in a variety of ways. If you have cancer, eating well can positively support treatment. This may help you live well for years to come after treatment. 1. Keep a healthy weight One in five people who die from cancer have an overweight or obese body mass index. But, exactly how weight affects cancer risk is unclear. Excess weight increases your risk by 50% for oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Weight in the belly area…

Read More