Oncology Buddies magazine

Oncology Man Louis Brauer – Falling smarter to protect bone health

June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media

Avid gamer, Louis Brauer, who is living with metastatic prostate cancer, explains that one way he reduces his fracture risk is by falling safely and correctly.

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Louis Brauer (80) lives in Sandringham, Gauteng. He has two children and eight grandchildren. In 2011, Louis was having trouble urinating properly and couldn’t always hold it in, so he went to a GP. He was told nothing is wrong with him, so he sought a second opinion. This…

Oncology Man Bone health and fracture risk during ADT for prostate cancer

June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media

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Dr Omondi Ogude highlights bone health and fracture risk for prostate cancer patients who are on androgen deprivation therapy.

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When treatment affects more than the cancer If you’re receiving hormone treatment for prostate cancer, you’ve probably heard about hot flushes and fatigue. But one important consequence often receives less attention: what androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) does to your bones. This isn’t a reason to avoid treatment. ADT remains one of the most effective therapies for prostate cancer….

Oncology Man Erectile dysfunction and pleasure

June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media

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Lisa Welsh details how to reclaim intimacy after prostate cancer and enjoy pleasure with erectile dysfunction.

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Prostate cancer treatment can change the way your body responds to sexual arousal. Surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy can all affect erectile function, sometimes temporarily, sometimes long-term. For many men, this is one of the most distressing parts of the cancer experience. If erections have become unreliable, or have disappeared entirely for now, it can feel like…

Oncology Man Eric Vorster – I felt like a failure

June 1, 2026 Word for Word Media

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In the hope of encouraging couples to speak openly, Eric Vorster and his wife, Thersia, share how they, as a couple, overcame erectile dysfunction resulting from prostate cancer treatment.

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Eric Vorster (68) lives in Heidelberg, Gauteng with his wife, Thersia. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Eric was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in 2016. He had no symptoms but was encouraged by his GP to include prostate cancer screening as…

For the boys Importance of genetic testing in prostate cancer

October 1, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Kusha Kalideen unpacks why genetic testing helps determine prostate cancer treatment, specifically with the use of the targeted drugs, PARPi.

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

Metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) is an aggressive, advanced form of prostate cancer associated with poor prognosis. While treatment options are limited, a class of cancer drugs, known as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), has shown improved survival and reduced disease progression in a subset of prostate cancer patients. As a result, PARPi have been approved for use…

Oncology Man Richard Melville – The long wait

August 4, 2025 Word for Word Media

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After four years of waiting for radiation, Richard Melville finally got it through a private-public hospital partnership. He tells us how the delay in treatment has affected his quality of life.

Richard Melville (71) lives in Randburg, Gauteng with his caregiver and spiritual son, Richard Taylor (34). In May 2021, Richard noticed he had slow urinary discharge, so he went to casualty at a private hospital. Various tests were done (prostate-specific antigen level test and digital rectal exam). Since he is a pensioner and doesn’t have medical aid, he was referred to Helen Joseph Hospital (HJH). Richard was admitted…

For the boys The benefits of support groups

August 4, 2025 Word for Word Media

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We learn about the benefits of support groups, specifically treatment specific support groups for prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is known to cause significant psychosocial distress, with 30-50% of men reporting a psychosocial burden due to their diagnosis, regardless of disease stage or progression.1 The initial diagnosis of cancer is usually highly stressful for men and their families. This is followed by the anxiety of deciding which is the best treatment option (in settings where options are available), followed by coping with side effects that are often highly embarrassing and frustrating for men. The subsequent ongoing monitoring further adds to the…

Oncology Man Keep your mind sharp during ADT

August 4, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Sylvia Rodrigues reviews what science says about cognitive decline during androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer and offers ways to reclaim your mental sharpness.

If you’re on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer, you might have noticed some mental fog—misplacing things, struggling to focus, or feeling like your brain isn’t as sharp as it used to be. You’re not imagining it. Research suggests that ADT can affect memory, attention, and thinking speed in some men. But here’s the good news: You are not powerless against it. Just like physical therapy helps your body recover,…

Oncology Man Prostate health on your plate

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Did you know prevention can start on your plate? Lailaa Cajee expands on prostate health on your plate.

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

Let’s be honest, when we talk about men’s health in SA, prostate health isn’t usually top of mind. But with prostate cancer ranking as one of the leading cancers affecting South African men, it’s time we changed the narrative. Believe it or not, prevention can start right on your plate. Small, consistent changes, rooted in local foods, can make a world of difference. You…

For the boys Understanding testosterone deficiency in men

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Jireh Serfontein educates us on the causes of testosterone deficiency in men as well as natural and medical interventions to manage it.

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

What is testosterone deficiency? Testosterone deficiency, or hypogonadism, is a common endocrine disorder affecting a significant proportion of men, particularly as they age. It’s characterised by low testosterone levels accompanied by various physical and psychological symptoms.1 The global prevalence of testosterone deficiency is estimated to be around 10% in men, with higher rates noted in older populations..1 As more…

For the boys Richard Laskey – Open your eyes and look within

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Richard Laskey candidly talks about his struggle with addiction even during his late wife’s cancer diagnosis and how he chose to get sober and live a life he is satisfied with.

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

Richard Laskey (52) lives in Bedfordview, Gauteng with his fiancée, Isabel, and their blended family of children (aged 24, 21, 19, 17, and 13). Richard is the first to admit that he wasn’t the model husband or father while married to Melanie, his late wife. He has a history of addiction and even when…

Oncology Man Rev Kosie Loots – Unapologetically open

July 31, 2024 Word for Word Media

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Reverend Kosie Loots shares how his faith, family, and friends pulled him through the toughest time of prostate cancer.

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

Reverend Kosie Loots (76) lives in Randburg, Gauteng with his wife, Christine. They have two children and three grandchildren. Regular check-ups I firmly believe that taking care of my physical health is essential. In 1978 I made a promise to myself and the Lord to visit my doctor every six months for regular check-ups. During these visits, my PSA count was consistently normal until the results from March…