Online Features | oncology buddies your guide to cancer care

Cancer Care The role of adjuvant chemotherapy

July 31, 2024 Word for Word Media

Dr Karisha Quarrie, Life Healthcare’s Head of Clinical Directorate, explains the significance of adjuvant chemotherapy, a post-surgery therapy, in safeguarding against cancer recurrence and enhancing survival rates.

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

Adjuvant chemotherapy, also known as preventative chemotherapy, stands as a vital component in the comprehensive treatment of cancer. This includes the administration of chemotherapeutic agents after the primary treatment, typically surgery, to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and reduce the risk of recurrence. Dr Quarrie clarifies that the term preventative chemotherapy is colloquially used to describe…

Cancer Care Radiotherapy: the powerful and versatile ally

June 2, 2024 Word for Word Media

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Radiotherapy is one of the pillars of cancer treatment. We take an in-depth look at what this treatment modality can achieve.

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

Radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery serve as the cornerstone of cancer treatment, offering hope and healing to millions around the globe. Radiotherapy has the ability to deploy high-energy particles or rays to target and eradicate cancer cells; it represents a powerful weapon in the fight against cancer. Chemotherapy takes a systemic route, deploying powerful drugs to seek out and…

Cancer Care PET-CT scans: moving oncology care forward

April 1, 2024 Word for Word Media

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Technological advancements in cancer diagnostics play a critical role in improving cancer treatment outcomes.

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

By precisely determining the location, size, stage and molecular characteristics of tumours, early detection rates of metastatic and recurrent disease can be improved, and advancement in effective personalised therapies can continue. The global increase in cancer-related mortality highlights the urgency of these advancements. Various technologies are utilised in diagnostic radiology, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (using sound waves), as well as…

Nutrition and Cancer More than everyday nutrition

April 1, 2024 Word for Word Media

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We learn the factual reasons behind why you need more than everyday nutrition when facing a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

This is why day-to-day management of your emotional and physical well-being is of utmost importance.2 Focusing on nutritional support will help your body during treatment.3 When you have cancer, your body’s requirements for nutrients increase, which highlights the importance of including a variety of foods from all food groups daily to assist you to get all the essential nutrients that your body needs.3 How to avoid malnutrition Adopt a balanced diet Include a…

Melanoma New Eucerin Sun Actinic Control Fluid SPF 100

November 30, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We find out more about how the new Eucerin Sun Actinic Control Fluid SPF 100 works by preventing actinic keratosis and non-melanoma skin cancer. Skin is much more than our body’s protective shield, it’s alive and reflects and affects how we feel inside. When our skin in healthy and radiant we feel comfortable and at one with ourselves. That is why Eucerin dedicates all their passion and expertise to your demanding sensitive skin. We develop clinically proven dermo-cosmetic solutions to protect, repair and sustain the health and beauty of your skin, giving you the feeling of confidence and well-being. For more…

Cancer Care The CANSA Pain Manager App

October 11, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We learn more about the free CANSA Pain Manager App, brought to you by The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), in association with the Centre of Community Technology at Nelson Mandela University (CCT), sponsored by Pfizer.

Unfortunately, unnecessary pain is often experienced by patients during their cancer journey. Through the app, CANSA aims to help close the care gap for patients and caregivers with information to cope better with challenges linked to pain, lower stress levels, and help them take charge of their lives while facing cancer. COVID-19…

Online Features Miracles happen because of blood and stem cell donors

July 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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June was National Blood Donor Month; and, 17-month-old Mackenzie “Mighty Mack” Friedman’s family is sharing her incredible story to encourage you to regularly donate blood and to register as a bone marrow stem cell donor. In May 2022, Mackenzie was declared cancer free. She reached this incredible milestone just over a year after she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and 100 days after her successful bone marrow transplant. Without regular blood transfusions, Mackenzie wouldn’t have survived her cancer treatment and been able to have a successful bone marrow stem cell transplant. About AML AML occurs when young abnormal…

Online Features Busamed Modderfontein Oncology Centre

June 5, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We find out more about the services offered by Busamed Modderfontein Oncology Centre. The Busamed Modderfontein Oncology Centre offers friendly, cost-effective oncology treatment in a safe and caring environment. The unit is managed by a team of leading highly-specialised radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, medical physicists, anaesthetist, psychologist, nurses, and admin staff. Evidenced-based treatment guidelines are used to accomplish the best clinical outcomes for their patients. The Busamed Modderfontein Oncology Unit is uniquely housed within Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital, a fully acute multi-disciplinary healthcare facility comprising of a wide range of medical and surgical disciplines. This model allows for comprehensive…

Cancer Care Hospital at Home

June 1, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We hear how Reona Naidoo (32) recovered in the comfort of her own home with Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s (DHMS) new Hospital at Home programme. Ever since Reona Naidoo had her spleen and a kidney removed in 2019, she’s been prone to picking up infections and being hospitalised. Luckily, with DHMS new Hospital at Home programme, Reona has this year been able to receive high-quality medical care in the comfort of her own home and avoid extended hospital stays. Hospital at Home offers 24/7 treatment and monitoring (both in-person and virtual) by a dedicated care team. In fact, Reona was one of the first…

Online Features Connect with Hope: CANSA Tele Counselling

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

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This Nelson Mandela Day the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) gives back to cancer patients, those affected by cancer and caregivers by launching its CANSA Tele Counselling service. The CANSA Tele Counselling service is confidential, professional, cancer-related telephonic counselling to cancer patients, caregivers and their families and parents or guardians of children living with cancer. Counselling is available in seven languages (English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, isiZulu, siSwati, Sesotho and Setswana) and is free of charge. Gerda Strauss, CANSA’s Head of Service Delivery says, “We challenge all to take action and to inspire change this Mandela Day, by donating and sponsoring 67 minutes of…

Breast Cancer Meet the survivor behind Beauty and Blessings

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Di Christophers tells us about starting a new business, Beauty and Blessings, after surviving breast cancer. Di Christophers (57) stays in Johannesburg, Gauteng. She is divorced and has two adult children and two grandchildren. Why did you start Beauty and Blessings? It was due to a traumatic experience I had whilst trying to buy headwear when I lost my hair. I was diagnosed with HER2-negative breast cancer in June 2018. It was a very daunting experience. I was feeling overwhelmed at firstly losing my hair and secondly wearing headwear is not the norm for me, even in winter. I realised if I felt so overwhelmed, there…

Online Features Emthunzini hats – Not any hat will do

February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media

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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…