APRMAY 2021 Archives

Nutrition and Cancer Red meat – friend or foe?

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

Global meat consumption and cancer diagnoses are on the rise. Is there a correlation to red meat? Annica Rust examines this. Recent studies found an association between a high intake of red meat and/or processed meat products and cancer; especially colon, breast and prostate cancer.3 What does this mean? Do you have to give up red meat completely after being diagnosed with cancer? Animal foods, such as red meat, fish, poultry and dairy, are good sources of protein, but take into consideration that their fat content varies substantially. The intake of these products will contribute to your daily requirements of iron, zinc,…

Emotional Care Helping children cope with grief

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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It’s a common misconception that children are too young to understand death and so they aren’t included in the grieving process. Unfortunately, in doing so, children aren’t given the opportunity to work through their own grief. How to help children Children will need to be given information that is appropriate for their age and emotional development. When a family member or person important to the child has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, explain to them, what is happening. For example, “You know that Mom has been going to the doctor a lot lately and that all the adults have been talking in hushed…

Stomach/Gastric Cancer Detecting gastric cancer

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Dr Ria David sheds insight on gastric cancer, how it’s detected and the treatment options available. Gastric cancer stats and facts Gastric (stomach) cancer represented the 16th commonest cancer in women and the 11th commonest cancer in men, in 2017, according to the National Cancer Registry. Most patients with gastric cancer have symptoms on presentation to their doctors. Despite advances in modern oncology, about half of these patients will have disease that extends beyond the locoregional (limited to a local region) territory, and only approximately half of the patients who present with locoregional disease are curable by surgery. Early-stage disease…

Oncofertility Safeguarding your sperm

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Dr Lizle Oosthuizen expands on the current options of safeguarding sperm before testicular cancer treatment and answers beneficial questions. All treatment (surgery, chemotherapy and radiation) can affect the ability of the testicle to produce sperm in the future. The options for sperm preservation depend on factors, such as age and current state of health, but time until treatment shouldn’t prevent access to options. Cryopreservation of ejaculated sperm The most common method for men and boys who have gone through puberty is to produce a sperm sample by masturbation. Although we recommend a period of 2-5 days between produced samples, they can be…

COVID and cancer The impact of COVID on delivery of oncology services

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Medical oncologist, Dr Ria David, updates us on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the delivery of oncology services. The World Health Organisation declared the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. Since then, mankind has witnessed sickness and death of a magnitude not seen since the Spanish Flu of 1918. South Africa has experienced two waves of infection so far with over 1,5 million infections and nearly 50 000 deaths. This has impacted all aspects of daily life, including delivery of medical services, with most non-COVID patients having to wait for long periods to access medical care. Some of the challenges surrounding…

Complementary Therapy The benefits of deep relaxation

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Veronica Tift expands on achieving deep relaxation through therapeutic reflexology as a natural intervention through endorphin release and therapeutic touch. As I walk into a retirement village, there is a sombre feeling as the aged, and often times forgotten residence keep a curious eye on me. With my bag in hand, along with my creams and towels used in my treatment, these aren’t the most important tools I have. My client, a 73-year-old man, makes himself comfortable in his space with his feet up, ready to receive his reflexology treatment. The minute I place my hands on his feet, his whole posture changes, his…

In the Spotlight Count Me In – first Patient-Led Cancer Registry

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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We learn more about the first Patient-Led Cancer Registry, what it aims to achieve and the driving force behind it. When Belinda Wagner was diagnosed with angiosarcoma, in 2016, she looked for information to help her navigate the challenges that lay ahead. “When I searched online, I found the South African National Cancer Registry (NCR). Although this was a valuable resource, angiosarcoma was not listed at the time,” she explains. After completing treatment in 2017, Belinda established a support group and launched an NGO, called Living with Cancer. One of her dreams was that the NGO would oversee the first-ever South African Patient-Led…

Side Effects Deciphering malignant hyperthermia

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Dr Michelle Casey, a specialist anaesthetist, explains the rare condition of malignant hyperthermia during anaesthesia and the precautions taken to avoid it. What is malignant hyperthermia (MH)? Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially life-threatening condition which can occur under general anaesthesia (state of unconsciousness induced by medication to facilitate surgery) in certain people who have a genetic disorder of their muscles. It’s triggered by the use of specific medications that are commonly used for general anaesthesia, namely inhalational anaesthetic agents (the gases that are inhaled and keep you asleep during your operation), and a specific type of muscle relaxant called suxamethonium. When these medications are used in a person…

A day in the life The role of the immunologist in oncology

March 29, 2021 Word for Word Media

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Liezl Heyman tells us how the immunologist helps in the fight against cancer. As a cancer patient, you are very aware of the war you are waging on your cancer under the firm leadership of the general (oncologist) and his/her trusted lieutenants (surgeon, radiologist, histologist and pharmaceutical company) along with troops, such as chemotherapy nurses, pharmacists and admin staff. Did we forget someone? What about the immunologist? Of course, you’ve never heard of him/her, however, the immunologist plays an imperative role in your fight against cancer. Enter the tumour microenvironment A place hidden from everyone. Where one day, for one or more reasons, one…