Hot Topics Legacy work in the cancer journey
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Dr Nelia Drenth speaks about legacy work in the cancer journey and keeping your story alive.

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When cancer enters your life, it often brings fear, uncertainty, and a sense that everything has suddenly been reduced  to appointments, scans, and treatment.       In the middle of all this, it’s easy to feel as though the person (your personality, memories, and relationships) can be overshadowed by the illness. Legacy work is one way…

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Unpacking Grief Love, written on skin
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Bonni Suckling explains how memorial tattoos give love and cherished memories of your person a permanent place to live.

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Grief doesn’t arrive politely. It barges in, unannounced, and settles itself right on your chest. For me, it was never about ink. It was about not letting go completely. I have many memorial tattoos for my son. A full sleeve, both shoulders, my back. It’s not subtle. All his favourite characters: Stitch, Buzz Lightyear,…

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Animals & Cancer How animals adapt to physical limitations
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Dr Andrew Robson highlights what humans can learn from how animals adapt to physical limitations.

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In veterinary practice, physical limitation is common. Limb loss, chronic pain or neurological disease aren’t rare events. What’s striking, however, isn’t  the injury itself, but how quickly animals adjust. A dog undergoes an amputation and is walking within days. A cat loses  its vision and continues to navigate its home with minimal disruption. These animals aren’t recovering in the…

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Nurses' Corner Haematology and oncology chose me
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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While Natasha Nunan’s professional journey has been shaped by knowledge, experience, and opportunity, it’s ultimately driven by a deep desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

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Natasha Nunan (44) lives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal with her husband and two children. Sowing seeds early on It was in high school that the seeds of Natasha’s nursing path were sown. She volunteered as a caregiver at a government hospital and assisted in many…

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Nurses' Corner Debriefing for nurses
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Pieter le Roux highlights why oncology nurses need to cool down to stay warm.

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There is something about winter that brings rest to the soul. The thought of warm food, precious times with family and friends, and, of course, that special moment of sitting before a crackling fireplace. In the cold months, we all seek out that source of heat and light. This isn’t intended to be a lecture or another item…

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Exercise and cancer Is exercise a part of cancer treatment?
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Wendy Vermaak explains why exercise should be viewed as an essential part of cancer treatment.

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What comes to mind when you think of cancer treatment? Is it chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, prosthetics and reconstruction, immunotherapy, or oral medication? These treatments play a vital  role in recovery and cure, yet they often  come with uncomfortable, unpleasant, or even painful side effects. However, a key area that should form part of standard care for cancer…

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Emotional Care Dealing with difficult families
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Dr Elizabeth Hart shares examples of what difficult families may look like when facing a cancer diagnosis and ways to overcome these challenges.

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When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it often feels like life stops. You have something new and overwhelming to deal with, and everything else becomes secondary. And that is how it should be; you and your health must become your top priority. You owe it to yourself and the people who care…

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Patient Stories Burnell Nagaya – The power of now
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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After loss and two cancer diagnoses, Burnell Nagaya is focused solely on the power of now and fully appreciating what the present offers.

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Burnell Nagaya (45) lives in Alberton, Gauteng with his life partner, Pragashnie, and his daughter, Annsuri (18). Testicular cancer A year after Burnell’s wife passed away, in October 2021, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He experienced a pain running up from his knee into his groin area, so…

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Hot Topics Probiotics in cancer care
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Dr Linda Rogers explains what probiotics are, their benefits, and how they can support the body during chemotherapy.

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What are probiotics? Probiotics are live, healthy bacteria and yeasts which support the naturally occurring bacteria (microbiome) in the body. They are found in fermented foods like yoghurt and kimchi, as well as in supplements, and can be taken to help keep your immune system and digestive tract healthy, and to prevent infection…

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Nutrition and Cancer Thrive through nutrition
June 5, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Here are simple ways to manage malnutrition and maintain a healthy weight during cancer care.

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Nutrition is essential in your cancer treatment and recovery process because cancer treatments can overwhelm your nutrient reserves resulting in malnutrition. Some 40 to 80% of cancer patients will experience malnutrition at some point during treatment. Weight loss of as little as 6% can affect how you respond to treatment and your quality of life.1,2 How to manage your nutrition…

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Workplace and cancer Human rights and cancer in the workplace
June 1, 2026 Word for Word Media
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CANSA highlights what their new guide: Human Rights and Cancer in the Workplace offers and emphasises that when dignity leads, support follows.

The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) is encouraging employers, managers, HR teams, employees, and caregivers to recognise that cancer in the workplace is not only a health issue, but also a matter of fairness and practical support. CANSA’s guide: Human Rights and Cancer in the Workplace is a guide for both employers and employees and can be downloaded. The guide was developed to help workplaces respond…

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Side Effects How immunotherapy affects your skin
June 1, 2026 Word for Word Media
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Dr Daleen Geldenhuys explains how immunotherapy affects the skin, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitors.

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There are different types of immunotherapies but the side effects that    are discussed below focus on therapies that activate T-lymphocytes. These specific immune therapies are immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs enhance the host anti-tumour response. The main target is the cancer cell, but sometimes the activated T-cells may attack innocent cells. This is called immune-related adverse events. These…

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