June-July 2025 | Men Fit For Purpose Archives

Side Effects Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

Gabriella Kourie explains the symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and how to manage it.

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

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common and often challenging side effect that you may experience with certain chemotherapy drugs. These chemotherapy drugs are predominantly platinum compounds (cisplatin, oxaliplatin), taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel), and vinca alkaloids (vincristine). These can affect your peripheral nerves and lead to symptoms, such as tingling, numbness, a burning sensation, and muscle weakness, presenting usually in the hands and feet. To manage CIPN effectively, you should combine methods of prevention,…

Exercise and cancer Physical activity to manage CIPN

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Wendy Vermaak shares how specialised physical activity and balance training is seen as an effective management tool for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

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

Treatment of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a holistic approach of a combination of medication and supplements, physical therapy, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes. Although there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing further nerve damage. Physical activity has multiple benefits for treatment of CIPN, with little to no negative side effects. It’s also inexpensive and empowers you to have a…

Immunotherapy Cytokine release syndrome

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Every drug has a possible side effect. Dr Garrick Laudin expands on cytokine release syndrome, a side effect caused by certain immunotherapies.

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

What is cytokine release syndrome? Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an inflammatory response that may affect all organ systems in the body. CRS occurs when certain novel (new) immunotherapies are used in cancer care. An immunotherapy is a specialised coach as it provides clear instructions for the immune system on how to fight cancer cells. These immunotherapies may include chimeric antigen receptor T-cells…

In the Spotlight Boosting oxytocin naturally

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Fiona Hardie unpacks the power of oxytocin and gives easy ways to boost it naturally.

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

“That’s what falling in love really amounted to, your brain on drugs. Adrenaline and dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin. Chemical insanity, celebrated by poets.” This quote by Tess Gerritsen, American novelist and physician, aptly states that love is a hormonal response and not merely a random feeling. This hormonal response therefore requires stimuli which can in fact take several different forms – essentially, that wonderful feeling can be…

Emotional Care Practise self-care

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Kerry-Ann Louw explains why self-care needs to be done on a regular basis to be effective.

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

A key word when thinking about self-care practice is practise. Self-care strategies need to be practised regularly for them to be effective in promoting and protecting your physical and mental well-being. It can be difficult to build regular self-care practice into a busy home and work life while balancing the demands of medical care, family, and career. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to self-care. You…

Multiple myeloma Donald Stewart – Twenty-five years of grace

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Donald Stewart shares his 25-year journey of living with multiple myeloma, giving all glory to God.

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

Donald Stewart (60) lives in Bedfordview, Gauteng with his wife, Madeleen. They have two sons, two daughters-in-law, and two grandsons. Diagnosis Donald was diagnosed with Stage 4 multiple myeloma, in July 2000, at the age of 35. This came after a visit to a GP due to an ongoing post-nasal drip and a cough. “I would get an antibiotic and within a few days I…

In the Spotlight Cryoablation: a new treatment option

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Gareth Bydawell explains cryoablation, its indications, patient selection criteria, procedural expectations, and the long-term success rates.

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

As an interventional radiologist, I often encounter patients seeking alternate treatment options for cancer, especially when facing surgery or a long course of chemotherapy. One such option is cryoablation, a procedure that uses extreme cold to carefully destroy cancer cells. What is cryoablation? Cryoablation involves inserting thin metal probes, under imaging guidance, into the tumour site and circulating extremely cold gas through these probes to freeze and destroy cancer…

Oncology Man Prostate health on your plate

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Did you know prevention can start on your plate? Lailaa Cajee expands on prostate health on your plate.

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

Let’s be honest, when we talk about men’s health in SA, prostate health isn’t usually top of mind. But with prostate cancer ranking as one of the leading cancers affecting South African men, it’s time we changed the narrative. Believe it or not, prevention can start right on your plate. Small, consistent changes, rooted in local foods, can make a world of difference. You…

For the boys Understanding testosterone deficiency in men

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Jireh Serfontein educates us on the causes of testosterone deficiency in men as well as natural and medical interventions to manage it.

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

What is testosterone deficiency? Testosterone deficiency, or hypogonadism, is a common endocrine disorder affecting a significant proportion of men, particularly as they age. It’s characterised by low testosterone levels accompanied by various physical and psychological symptoms.1 The global prevalence of testosterone deficiency is estimated to be around 10% in men, with higher rates noted in older populations..1 As more…

For the boys Richard Laskey – Open your eyes and look within

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Richard Laskey candidly talks about his struggle with addiction even during his late wife’s cancer diagnosis and how he chose to get sober and live a life he is satisfied with.

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

Richard Laskey (52) lives in Bedfordview, Gauteng with his fiancée, Isabel, and their blended family of children (aged 24, 21, 19, 17, and 13). Richard is the first to admit that he wasn’t the model husband or father while married to Melanie, his late wife. He has a history of addiction and even when…

Animals & Cancer Companion animals as caregivers

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Dr Andrew Robson explores the unseen role of companion animals as caregivers in cancer recovery.

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

A cancer diagnosis is life-altering, not just for you but also for your loved ones. The journey through treatment is often filled with uncertainty, physical and emotional stress, and in many cases loneliness. While medical advancements focus on combating the disease, an often overlooked source of support comes from an unexpected place: companion animals. The science behind emotional support The psychological and physiological benefits of human-animal interactions…

Childhood Cancer Resilience is a child wearing cancer

June 2, 2025 Word for Word Media

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Bonni Suckling shares how she concluded what resilience really is: a child wearing cancer.

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

I was in the final stretch of my postgraduate Paediatric Palliative course, struggling to grasp the medical terms and complex concepts. Then came the assignment: Write about resilience. What? How? I turned to Google for a definition: “Resilience is the ability to endure adversity, adapt to challenges, and continue finding meaning and joy despite hardships. It is not just about strength—it is about growth, transformation, and the courage…