May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
Paddy O’Brien shares his experience of undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Paddy O’Brien (65) lives in Pinelands, Cape Town with his wife. They have two adult children. Diagnosis For 15 years, Paddy had a benign enlarged prostate, living with the condition of urgent, frequent urination. In April 2017, a routine PSA test raised concerns. He asked his specialist urologist, who had confirmed the enlarged prostate, about performing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a surgery used to treat urinary problems that are caused by an enlarged prostate. The specialist agreed, but recommended a needle-biopsy at the same time. The op was performed…

May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
We take an in-depth look at prostate cancer, the symptoms and how it is staged. Age and screening Screening, which includes a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE), can help detect prostate cancer in the early stages when it can be cured. Early detection reduces the risk of dying by up to 56%. Informed patient-based screening is recommended, by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, in men with a life expectancy of more than 10 years in the following situations: From the age of 40 in black African men and in men who have a…

March 19, 2020 Word for Word Media
Prostate and lung cancer survivor, Iain Johnston, talks about cancer treatment and running his fifth Hollard DareDevil Run with the aim of raising money for Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa. Iain Johnston (64) stays in Dainfern, Gauteng with his wife. They have two children and two grandchildren. Fluctuating PSA level Iain went for regular PSA screening tests every year. For a few years, he had a high PSA level. He explains, “Just because you have a high PSA, doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, but it’s an indication and should be followed up with further observation or investigation….

February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
John McPetrie shares his humorous views of the side effects of prostate cancer treatment. John (66) lives in Constantia, Cape Town, with his wife, Sue. They have two adult sons, having lost their eldest four years ago.  REGULAR PSA SCREENINGS  John was diagnosed with Stage 3b prostate cancer in late 2018 despite regular PSA testing for 22 years. “After many years of a relatively high PSA (it went up to almost 11), it began to drop; fairly unexpectedly and quite rapidly.  It fell to 4,02 in mid-2017. My then urologist thought that whatever had caused the high reading had disappeared. But evidently not,…

March 20, 2019 Word for Word Media
CANSA informs us of the top five cancers that affect men in South Africa. Elize Joubert, CANSA’s CEO, says that it is of great concern that the number of men being diagnosed with late stage cancer is on the rise. “Men need to be pro-active about their health and should recognise warning signs.  We encourage monthly testicular self-examinations, annual medical check-ups and cancer screening for early detection, as symptoms don’t always present until cancer has spread. Men also need to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle, cutting out lifestyle factors that increase their cancer risk.”  With this said, below are the…

March 20, 2019 Word for Word Media
Prostate cancer survivor, James Howard, tells us how freezing his sperm before his prostatectomy  allowed him and his fiancĂ©, Gayle de Hoog, to become parents. James (59) and Gayle (41) live in Newlands, Cape Town with their son, Luke (14 months). Gayle is currently pregnant with twins. When James was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2014, he and Gayle had just rekindled their relationship after a 16-year break. Gayle was living in the UK and had come over to SA for a holiday. She arranged to fly back to SA to care for him for a few weeks post treatment. After…

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

South Africa’s most daring 5km run is back and ready to raise eyebrows while raising awareness of male cancers. Men of all ages, shapes and sizes are called upon to help paint Jozi purple once again as the Hollard Daredevil Runreturns to the streets of Johannesburg on Friday 15 March 2019 to run cancer outta town. Kicking off at 15h00, the 5km fun run challenges the city’s bravest males to strip down to purple Speedos and run through the streets in the name of a good cause.  The “Run-not-a-race” encourages men of all ages, shapes and sizes to run five kilometres through peak…

July 27, 2018 Word for Word Media

Routine screening tests are crucial for early diagnosis. Discovery Health highlights the most important screening tests for men. Screening tests, such as those available through the Discovery Health Medical Scheme Screening and Prevention Benefit, find diseases early when they are easier to treat.  For example, with early detection, colon cancer can be nipped in the bud while diagnosing diabetes early may help prevent complications, such as vision loss and impotence. It is estimated that nearly half (48,7%) of South Africans with high blood pressure (hypertension) have never been screened. Therefore, remain undiagnosed. They are unaware of their increased risk for heart…

December 1, 2017 Word for Word Media
Evidence suggests the variation in cancer rates in different parts of the world may be due, in part, to the dietary differences between populations. Jean Mills looks at the foods that increase and decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Most research on diet and prostate cancer has looked at how diet affects the risk of developing prostate cancer10. These dietary factors may affect the progression of the disease and/or treatment. Research on prostate cancer after diagnosis is still at an early stage but suggests that being a healthy weight, regular exercise, reducing saturated fat, eating tomato-based food and other…

September 28, 2017 Word for Word Media
Did you know that exercise lowers the risk of prostate cancer. Avinesh Pursad tells us more. Prostate cancer is a carcinoma of the prostate gland, found in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed within the South African male population and, in fact, is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the worldwide male population1,6,9. Risk factors of prostate cancer Worryingly, recent research shows  that the incidence of prostate cancer continues to rise in many countries1. It is therefore imperative to know the potential risk factors. Weight: A body mass index (BMI) of <30 is…

September 28, 2017 Word for Word Media
Not only did Ismail-Ian William Fife survive prostate cancer but also breast cancer. We hear how his battles birthed Can-Sir, a men’s cancer group, that has helped a substantial amount of men. Ismail-Ian William Fife (53) lives in De La Haye Avenue, Kenwyn, Cape Town with his wife, Bianca, and her 10-year-old twins, James and Jordan, and the family dog, Daisy. He has two adult sons from his first marriage. Prostate cancer At 40, Ismail-Ian was diagnosed with Stage 2B prostate cancer in 2004; a year and five months after his initial symptom – blood in urine – was detected…

April 12, 2017 Word for Word Media

As boys, we are told to be brave. As men, it’s much harder to talk about life, health or feelings than the latest sporting news. Men feel they aren’t allowed to open up, even to themselves, for fear of being seen as weak or unattractive. The pressure of the ‘traditional idea of masculinity’ stops most men from taking care of their health and allowing their emotions to be lived. Testicular cancer forced me to alter this.

At the age of 30, the diagnosis of testicular cancer hit me between the…