July/Aug 2020 Archives - Oncology Buddies

Patient Stories Belinda Wagner: determined as ever

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

We hear how Belinda Wagner, a life coach, facilitator, lecturer and marketing consultant, ensured her diagnosis of angiosarcoma would not take control of her life. Belinda Wagner (48) lives in Fourways, Gauteng. She is married with two daughters, aged 18 and 14. Diagnosis It took six months for doctors to diagnose Belinda with angiosarcoma. It started in July 2016 when Belinda got bronchitis. In August, she started coughing up blood, had an overall feeling of not being well, and had abdominal pain. Medication was prescribed for her chest and coughing which was followed by an array of tests, until a CT scan, in November, showed…

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…

Treatment What to expect with my first chemotherapy cycle

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Dr Sarita Retief explains what to expect when you go for your first chemotherapy cycle. If there is one thing that COVID-19 has taught us all, is that it is very difficult to deal with an unknown future. And that is what everyone must go through at the start of chemotherapy. The day before anxiety creeps up and the night before you can hardly sleep. On the day that you start treatment, you are already emotionally exhausted. But then, after going through the first cycle, most people find that it was not nearly as bad as what they thought…

For the boys Solly Moeng: Back in the saddle

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Solly Moeng tells us how he juggled prostate cancer surgery and work, and how pleased he was when he could get back to his cycling. Solly Moeng (53) lives in Wynberg, Cape Town. He has three children. Work project delays check-up Every year, in April, Solly has a routine medical check-up. During the 2017 exam, the GP casually indicated that Solly’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level seemed ‘a bit elevated’ and that he should get it checked. “There was no urgency in his voice and he mentioned it so nonchalantly that I didn’t ask him what it all meant or what the count…

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…

Counting Pennies Medicines and costs

July 29, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Why do some medicines cost so much but then others, such as some generics, cost so little? Elsabé Klinck educates us as to why this is so. Types of medicines Medicines are widely defined in the Medicines and Related Substances Act. This law defines a medicine as something that is used to diagnose, treat or prevent disease, or help with bodily functioning. Medicines include: Complementary medicines, such as supplements and vitamins. Alternative medicines, such as naturopathy, homeopathy and Ayurvedic medicines, many of which have a long history of cultural or traditional use. Allopathic medicines, such as the medicines used in cancer treatment and…

Prostate Cancer Prostate cancer: a detailed review (Part 2)

July 28, 2020 Word for Word Media

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We learn about the available treatment offered for localised and locally advanced prostate cancer. Localised prostate cancer Several treatment options are available. The choice is based on: Risk category of the prostate cancer Patient preference General health and life expectancy of patient Affordability and treatment options available at different facilities 1. Active surveillance This is for low-risk disease. Curative treatments, such as radiotherapy or surgery, are delayed until disease progression. Patients are closely monitored with regular prostate specific antigen (PSA) tests and digital rectal examinations. A repeat biopsy may be performed six to 12 months after diagnosis or if cancer growth…

Side Effects The impact of radiodermatitis on cancer patients

July 28, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Radiation oncologist, Dr Yastira Ramdas, unpacks the impact of radiodermatitis on cancer patients. Radiation therapies are a common treatment modality for patients diagnosed with cancer, used exclusively or in combination with other types, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy administers high-energy photons at or near the tumour site, killing cancer cells by creating free radicals in the cells leading to cell death.1,2 One of the common side effects of radiation therapy is radiodermatitis (radiation dermatitis, radiation-induced skin reactions) by exposure to high-energy photons which is experienced by 95% of patients. Grades of radiodermatitis Common types of radiodermatitis include: moist and dry desquamation (peeling), skin necrosis (dead…

Sarcomas Explaining sarcomas and the treatment option of radiation

July 28, 2020 Word for Word Media

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Dr Nirasha Chiranjan, a radiation oncologist, educates us on the different types of sarcomas and the treatment option of radiation for soft tissue sarcomas. Types of sarcomas There are a wide range of sarcomas that form in the body; some are benign whilst others are malignant. Sarcomas can form: from blood cells; in the cells around joints or tendons; in cartilage, bone, fibrous tissue, skin, mouth, internal organs, in connective tissue and in soft tissue. Determining your treatment pathway The type of sarcoma a patient is diagnosed with will determine the type of specialist team and treatment approach the patient requires. Soft tissue sarcomas…