In the Spotlight Archives | Oncology Buddies

In the Spotlight What to do when liaising with your medical scheme

May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

Elsabé Klinck gives advise on how to liaise with your medical scheme when various administrative and legal issues arise. Approval of treatment plans Doctors will talk to patients about the treatment options available to them. Once the patient has agreed to a specific plan of action, a treatment regime is developed, which will map out the course of treatment, how frequently treatment is to be received, in what form (e.g. by oral medication, and/or through infusions, etc.). The doctor will also discuss side effects, and possible treatment difficulties, and risks with the patient. In oncology, nearly all treatment plans must be recommended for approval…

In the Spotlight Medical schemes – the basics

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

Elsabé Klinck educates us on the basics of medical schemes when affected by cancer. Medical scheme cover The jargon of medical schemes can easily confuse patients, or the loved ones of cancer patients. Apart from choosing between various plans, there is a bewildering array of types of benefits (e.g. oncology benefits with or without co-payments); divisions into chronic, savings and/or risk pools; thresholds; payment gaps; co-payments and the likes. The law, however, creates a ‘fairly’ straight-forward system, where schemes: must offer so-called Prescribed Minimum Benefits (PMBs) which must always be funded. may offer other healthcare cover for other conditions, not included in the PMBs. There is, in law, no such…

In the Spotlight The role of the speech therapist in head and neck cancer

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

Azra Hoosen educates us on how a speech therapist supports and empowers head and neck cancer patients with speech, voice, communication and swallowing difficulties. Many patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer may present with speech, communication, voice or swallowing difficulties which hugely impact activities of daily living and quality of life. A speech therapist is a health professional that is involved in the screening, assessment and ongoing management of individuals with the abovementioned difficulties. Assessment, treatment and beyond The speech therapist will assist with the following areas of assessment: Providing education and counselling regarding anticipated changes in communication and swallowing. Providing counselling prior to surgical procedures….

In the Spotlight Cardio-oncology: a new sub-speciality in South Africa

Mar 20, 2020 Word for Word Media

Cardiologist, Dr YT Singh, explains what cardio-oncology is and why it forms an integral part of a cancer journey. What is cardio-oncology? Cardio-oncology is a field in which a cardio-oncologist (a cardiologist who is familiar with the cardiovascular complications of cancer drugs and radiotherapy) works closely with an oncologist, in detecting and treating cardiovascular complications due to cancer drugs and radiotherapy. The cardio-oncologist must be aware of the international guidelines and protocols pertaining to the follow-up and management of such patients. Cancer therapy Cancer therapy today has advanced greatly, resulting in cure of many cancers like breast-, prostate-, lung cancer, and…

In the Spotlight Hyperthermia as a cancer treatment

Feb 3, 2020 Word for Word Media

Dr Carrie Minnaar informs us about hyperthermia, a new treatment in South Africa, and its benefits when used alongside chemotherapy and radiation. Hyperthermia explained Hyperthermia describes an increase in the tumour temperature above the normal physiological temperature range. A complex set of reactions of the tumour cells and environment in response to the heat results in improved tumour destruction. How does it help? Possibly the most important response is the change in blood flow to the tumour. In an attempt to lower the temperature at the tumour site, the body responds by increasing the blood flow and oxygen to the heated area. While this may…

In the Spotlight (Sex) Life after radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer

Feb 3, 2020 Word for Word Media

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….

In the Spotlight Emthunzini hats – Not any hat will do

Feb 3, 2020 Word for Word Media

We take a deeper look at sun protection and why you and your family should wear a certified UPF50+ sun hat not only in summer, but all year round to help prevent sun-damaged skin. Wearing a sun hat is the best way to provide instant shade coverage for your face and neck. However, not all hats offer the same amount of UV protection for your skin. How do you choose the right hat that not only looks good, but also protects you from the sun? Emthunzini UPF50+ sun hats Emthunzini UPF50+ sun hats were the first hats to have been awarded the…

In the Spotlight Reliable medicine supply keeps oncology treatments on track

Nov 27, 2019 Word for Word Media

The careful handling and transport of chemotherapy drugs is fundamental to the treatment patients receive. We hear more about how Medipost Pharmacy gets this right. From the time an oncology practice places an order with the dispensing pharmacy until the moment it reaches the practice where it will be mixed and administered to patients, the highest level of care is required to ensure that the right medicine reaches its destination safely, reliably, and in optimal condition. Supplier of choice Martie Duminy, a pharmacist at Hermanus Oncology, says that she has had an association of some six years’ standing with Medipost Pharmacy….

In the Spotlight Nobody makes better tea than you and Five Roses

Sep 30, 2019 Word for Word Media

Trusted since 1909, Five Roses consistently delivers superior quality, expertly blended teas. Its teas are sourced from around the world by skilled Tea Master, Dinesh Wijeyawardana. With over 30 years’ experience, Dinesh is trusted with the Five Roses recipe and the responsibility of ensuring unsurpassed flavour, strength and aroma in every cup of Five Roses Tea. The Five Roses range caters for all occasions and tastes, with its wide range of blends and flavours that deliver the perfect cup of tea every time. This year (from June to October), Five Roses is the proud tea sponsor of the Cuppa For CANSA…

In the Spotlight Radiotherapy-related skin reactions

Sep 30, 2019 Word for Word Media

Specialist radiation oncologist, Dr Maríza Tunmer, educates us on radiotherapy-related skin reactions and how to prevent and manage them. Radiation dermatitis Radiation dermatitis is the medical term for skin reactions related to radiotherapy and is a common side effect experienced by patients receiving radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. It’s the result of inflammatory effects in both the superficial layer of the skin (epidermis) as well as the layers just beneath this (dermis). These effects may impact a patient’s quality of life and may cause discomfort and pain. It may even result in interruptions in treatment and this may negatively affect control of the…

In the Spotlight Sexuality – a ‘new me’ and a ‘new we’

Mar 20, 2019 Word for Word Media

Satisfying sexual activity doesn’t rely on full physical perfection, and often after a diagnosis of cancer, a couple can connect and find levels of intimacy greater than what they had previously. Dr Anthony Smith explains. The diagnosis and management of cancer causes a radical disruption to normal life and can be devastating to the sexual lives of men. Over the last decade advancing therapies have allowed more people to survive cancer, resulting in longer periods of time over which disturbances in sexual function can occur. How cancer affects a man’s sexual health can broadly be divided into three areas: …

In the Spotlight Seven tips to eat right

Mar 20, 2019 Word for Word Media

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…