Oncofertility Oncofertility care in South Africa
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Chris Venter updates us on the current standing of oncofertility care in South Africa. At the start of a new year, it seems reasonable to take a “surgical pause” and reflect on the past year. What challenges were achieved and what challenges still lie ahead? Eighteen months back when I was tasked to co-ordinate a national collaborate attempt between fertility clinics unified under the South African Society of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG), I was made aware by my overseas mentor, Teresa Woodruff, that this would be a long-term mission, and that the challenges we’re facing in oncofertility care are universal in…

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Treatment Hyperthermia as a cancer treatment
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Carrie Minnaar informs us about hyperthermia, a new treatment in South Africa, and its benefits when used alongside chemotherapy and radiation. Hyperthermia explained Hyperthermia describes an increase in the tumour temperature above the normal physiological temperature range. A complex set of reactions of the tumour cells and environment in response to the heat results in improved tumour destruction.  How does it help? Possibly the most important response is the change in blood flow to the tumour. In an attempt to lower the temperature at the tumour site, the body responds by increasing the blood flow and oxygen to the heated area. While this may…

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For the boys John McPetrie – The lighter side of prostate cancer
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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John McPetrie shares his humorous views of the side effects of prostate cancer treatment. John (66) lives in Constantia, Cape Town, with his wife, Sue. They have two adult sons, having lost their eldest four years ago.  REGULAR PSA SCREENINGS  John was diagnosed with Stage 3b prostate cancer in late 2018 despite regular PSA testing for 22 years. “After many years of a relatively high PSA (it went up to almost 11), it began to drop; fairly unexpectedly and quite rapidly.  It fell to 4,02 in mid-2017. My then urologist thought that whatever had caused the high reading had disappeared. But evidently not,…

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Cardio oncology Cardiovascular disease – The risk in treatment of prostate cancer
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Prof James Ker expands on the risk of cardiovascular disease when treating prostate cancer. Global burden of cancer The Global Burden of Disease Cancer Collaboration described the cancer burden for 29 cancers in 195 countries1. In 2017, there were 24,5 million incident cancer cases worldwide of which prostate cancer (PC) contributed 1,3 million incident cases.  There has been improvement in cancer survival which has created a large and growing population of cancer survivors. About half of patients diagnosed with cancer will survive 10 years or longer2.  There are serious concerns that these cancer survivors could have increased medium-term to long-term risks for developing…

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Cervical Cancer (Sex) Life after radiotherapy treatment for cervical cancer
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Mariza Tunmer, a radiation oncologist, tells us more about how radiation may cause side effects that can affect sexual health. Then Hester van Aswegen, a physiotherapist, advises what can be done to overcome these side effects. THE RADIATION ONCOLOGIST Radiotherapy is an important treatment modality used to treat many, if not most, patients with cervical cancer. When aiming to cure a patient diagnosed with cervical cancer, the treatment course will usually entail daily treatments, Monday – Friday, over six to seven weeks. Where possible, a low weekly dose of chemotherapy should be combined with radiotherapy as this improves cure rates….

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Girl Talk Pap smear: fast facts
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Most women today know what a Pap smear is or have had one or even a few. Dr Sumayya Ebrahim educates us on this procedure. What is a Pap smear? It’s a screening test for the early detection and screening of cervical cancer. It’s named after a Greek doctor, Dr Papanicolou, who first published his work on this in 1928. The cervix is the part of the female reproductive organs that is also typically called the mouth of the uterus. Cervical cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer seen in women in SA under the age of 40. The tragedy is…

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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…

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A day in the life Introducing the radiotherapist
February 3, 2020 Word for Word Media
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René Botha helps us understand the integral role a radiotherapist plays in radiation therapy. Radiotherapy, when prescribed and delivered correctly, can help treat a wide variety of cancers. When a patient is prescribed radiotherapy, it takes a team of professionals working together to deliver this treatment safely and effectively. You may not meet all the members of the team, but they all play an essential role in the planning and delivery of your treatment.  This team includes your radiation or clinical oncologist, the radiotherapists and the medical physicists. Once you have met with your oncologist and he/she has prescribed radiation,…

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