Prostate Cancer Archives

How is it diagnosed? How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

February 7, 2024 Word for Word Media

Dr Shauli Minkowitz navigates the diagnostic landscape of prostate cancer in 10 easy steps.

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

Prostate cancer, a prevalent health concern among all aging men especially black South Africans, demands early detection for effective management. The diagnostic journey often involves a multi-faceted approach, tailored to individual risk factors and symptoms. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test Blood levels of PSA, a protein produced by the prostate, can be measured at any lab to assess for potential abnormalities. Elevated PSA levels indicate a prostate problem but…

Oncology Man Jeff Kirby-Smith – The experience was a wake-up call

February 7, 2024 Word for Word Media

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Jeff Kirby-Smith shares how his prostate cancer diagnosis prompted four of his friends to get their PSA levels tested, and advocates the importance of the urologist and oncologist working well together.

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

Jeff Kirby-Smith (67) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng with his wife. They have a twenty-nine-year-old daughter. It’s thanks to regular annual medical checks-ups that Jeff’s steadily increasing prostate-specific antigen level was noticed (from 2021 to December 2022). “I have been seeing a urologist since 2020; my PSA level increased from below 1.7…

Oncology Man Nu Angle Medical – Light at the end of the tunnel

December 1, 2023 Word for Word Media

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A PATIENT’S PERSPECTIVE ON PROSTATE CANCER, ED AND PENILE PROSTHESIS The story of Johann, 70-year-old prostate cancer survivor and penile implant patient.

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

Johann is a 70-year-old prostate cancer survivor from the Northwest Province, who has agreed to share his story to inspire and give hope to men from all walks of life who suffer from erectile dysfunction. Suffering from venous leakage from the age of 40 his life has been significantly impacted by erectile dysfunction. After seeking out various treatments such as…

Oncology Man NuAngle Medical – Light at the end of the tunnel

July 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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An expert’s insight into erectile dysfunction and urinary stress incontinence.

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

EDUCATION FOR SA ONE-ON-ONE As part of our preparations to welcome Dr Shah to South Africa, local Urologists assisted by NuAngle Medical have been participating in a series of video interviews with Dr Shah. The purpose of these interviews has been to ask the REAL questions that patients in South Africa face regarding men’s health, erectile dysfunction & urinary stress incontinence. Dr Shah sheds light on many issues faced by prostate cancer…

Oncology Man Sputnik Ratau – Sharing our experiences is important

July 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Sputnik Ratau explains why he is open to share his experience of prostate cancer in hopes of other men learning what to look out for.

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

Sputnik Ratau (65) lives in Johannesburg, Gauteng. He is a widower with six children and three grandchildren. Due to Sputnik’s older brother’s diagnosis of prostate cancer, he became aware of the signs and symptoms. “It made me think of my father, he was never diagnosed but now knowing the symptoms, it’s possible that he had it. Also, my cousin seemed to also be battling…

Oncology Man Dirk Human – Open and upfront

May 19, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Once Dirk Human was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he learnt quickly how imperative it was to share what he was feeling with his family for them to better understand his experience.

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

Dirk Wynand Human (51) lives in Pretoria, Gauteng with Angela-Lee, his wife, of 28 years. They have a 25-year-old daughter, Marilee. In January 2022 Dirk consulted his GP as he had chest pains which turned out to be stress related. Due to Dirk doing a full blood test a while back, the GP suggested…

For the boys Second-generation antiandrogens

March 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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We learn about new treatment options for advanced prostate cancer: second-generation antiandrogens.

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

What is advanced prostate cancer (APC)? APC is diagnosed when treatments for localised prostate cancer have failed or when men present with symptoms of advanced disease. Prostate cancer (PC) initially starts to grow in the prostate and in the early stages the cancer is contained there (localised PC). If the cancer continues to grow and is left untreated, it eventually breaks out of the prostate and begins to invade the…

Patient Stories Allen Rizzi – The long tunnel

March 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Prostate cancer survivor, Allen Rizzi, has written a book to help newly diagnosed men prepare for treatment. He tells us more.

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

Allen Rizzi (74) lives in North Carolina, USA and Northern Italy with his wife. As I was cruising down life’s highway, I always felt pretty good about my health, often taking it for granted. I had been a professional surfer in my younger years and an outdoorsman and traveller all of my life, always eating well and exercising regularly. For the…

For the boys Prostate cancer – Am I covered?

November 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Gillian Bruce, a senior case manager, answers imperative questions regarding prostate cancer and what medical aids will cover. A prostate cancer diagnosis is overwhelming and it’s hard to come to terms with not only for you, the patient, but for your family as well. Then there is the added stress of whether your medical aid will cover your treatment. This is why it’s vital to know what your Oncology Benefit includes as many only find out when treatment is declined. It’s also important to find out more about your type of cancer and whether it’s a prescribed minimum benefit (PMB) and the details of…

Prostate Cancer Free PSA testing for the win

November 24, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Astellas and The Prostate Cancer Foundation teamed up in September (Prostate Cancer Awareness Month) to provide free prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing. A total of 12 private hospitals took part in this initiative and a total of 1 241 PSA tests were carried out. The PSA test is a blood test to assist in the detection of prostate abnormalities. A high PSA score can be due to prostate cancer, an enlarged prostate, or an infection. The PSA is best done together with a digital rectal examination. The aim of this initiative was to raise awareness about the risks of prostate cancer and to encourage men to…

For the boys Making a brotherhood for male cancer survivors

July 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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We chat to prostate cancer survivor, David Lucas, who was recently selected as one of South Africa’s 2022 CANSA Relay For Life Global Hero of Hope. David Lucas (64) lives in Ennerdale, Gauteng with his wife. They have three children and five grandchildren. Diagnosis David was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 by chance. “I went to the doctor to test if I had arthritis and the GP took blood samples. It turned out my prostate specific antigen (PSA) level was high and after further investigation, it was confirmed that I had Stage 1 prostate cancer,” David says. “I was initially ambivalent…

For the boys Prostate cancer terminology

July 29, 2022 Word for Word Media

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Dr Shivona Moodley expands on the common terminology that is used in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer (PC) is the second most common cancer in men with 1,4 million new cases being diagnosed in 2020, according to GLOBOCAN statistics. Southern Africa had the third highest worldwide mortality rates from PC. In South Africa, the National Cancer Registry 2014 report confirms that PC is the most common histologically-diagnosed malignancy in non-Caucasians, and the second most common cancer in Caucasians. Routes of spread PC starts in the cells of the prostate gland and the most common type of cancer found here is…