Jan/Feb 2019 Archives - Oncology Buddies

For the boys Put on your purple Speedo and join in the fight to run cancer outta town

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

South Africa’s most daring 5km run is back and ready to raise eyebrows while raising awareness of male cancers. Men of all ages, shapes and sizes are called upon to help paint Jozi purple once again as the Hollard Daredevil Runreturns to the streets of Johannesburg on Friday 15 March 2019 to run cancer outta town. Kicking off at 15h00, the 5km fun run challenges the city’s bravest males to strip down to purple Speedos and run through the streets in the name of a good cause. The “Run-not-a-race” encourages men of all ages, shapes and sizes to run five kilometres through peak…

Cervical Cancer A survivor, through and through

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Angelinah Matimolane tells us how an asthma attack ultimately led to the discovery of cervical cancer, then how that spread to her stomach, and how 13 years later she is still fighting fit. Angelinah (Angy) Matimolane (47) lives in Soweto with her husband, daughter and three grandchildren. Strong family history of cancer There is a strong family history of cancer in Angy’s family. One member passed away from cervical cancer while another member passed away from lung cancer. Angy’s brother passed away from stomach cancer, in 2016, and, currently her uncle is fighting lymphoma cancer. January 2006 On the way back…

A day in the life What is haematology?

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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In 1933, Janet Vaughan, said, “Haematology has advanced more rapidly in the last 10 years more than any branch of medicine. Current haematological literature is so prolific that it is increasing difficult for anyone but a specialist to keep up to date7.” In 2019, this is even more so. Haematology is the study of blood in health and disease. It includes diseases of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, blood vessels, the bone marrow, lymph nodes, the spleen and the proteins involved in bleeding and clotting. There are many different haematological diseases. These are broadly divided into malignant (cancerous) diseases…

Online Features The benefits of door-to-door medication delivery

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Wilmarie Rheeders, a clinical analyst at Medipost Pharmacy, tells us the benefits of door-to-door medication delivery. These days, almost anything can be ordered from the convenience of your home or office. You can order food; designer clothes; groceries; gifts; or even a ride to the airport with a click of a button. There is an abundance of companies offering exactly what you need, when you need it, to your doorstep. These on-demand modern conveniences make life so much easier and therefore most businesses now offer online shopping and door-to-door delivery. Over the past few years, door-to-door delivery of medication has…

Gallbladder Cancer Gallbladder Cancer

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Dr Jason Naicker educates us on gallbladder cancer. What is gallbladder cancer? Gallbladder cancer is cancer that begins in the gallbladder (a small, pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver). The gallbladder stores bile (a fluid made by the liver that helps digest fats). Rare cancer Gallbladder cancer is rare. In South Africa, just over 400 new cases were reported to be diagnosed in 2014, while the American Cancer Society estimated about 12 000 new cases would be diagnosed in 2018. Gallbladder cancer is difficult to diagnose because it often causes no specific signs…

Immunotherapy Immunotherapy saved my life

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Lynette van Schaik, a mother of two, tells us how immunotherapy killed her aggressive Stage 4 melanoma cancer. Lynette van Schaik (37) lives in Nigel, Gauteng with her husband, Hein, and their sons, Alexander and Ruben, aged 13 and 10. Stage 3 melanoma My first encounter with melanoma was in 2010 when I had a mole removed from my back. It didn’t display any warning signs, even my doctor wasn’t worried. When the tests came back it was Stage 3 melanoma, and a wider excision was needed. I didn’t get any other treatment as the treating doctor didn’t think it was…

Out & About SASMO Conference 2018

February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media

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Prof Georgia Demetriou tells us about the happenings of the South African Society of Medical Oncology (SASMO) Conference 2018. It was with great excitement that we arrived at Durban International Convention Centre for a weekend of interaction with colleagues in the field of medical oncology, oncology pharmacy, clinical haematology, and fertility preservation of cancer patients. The primary objective was to develop and enhance the collaboration between all healthcare professionals involved in managing cancer patients in an open and equitable environment. About SASMO SASMO represents and furthers the interests of medical oncologists and oncology patients in the healthcare sector. We seek to…