JuneJuly 2023 Archives

Oncofertility The experiences of fertility preservation

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

Charlene Purdy shares the outcome of her master’s thesis: Exploring the subjective experiences of fertility preservation among cancer survivors in South Africa.

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

Globally cancer is characterised as a complex and life-threatening disease, affecting one in every five women and one in every six men, and has been ranked as one of the top causes for morality worldwide. Due to advance cancer treatments developed over the past decade, cancer survivors are living longer, however, treatment side effects remain a concern. Impaired fertility is classified as…

Side Effects Graft-versus-host disease

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Sharlene Parasnath explains what graft-versus-host disease is in regard to allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

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

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has the potential to cure life-threatening blood cancers and other blood and bone marrow disorders, including leukaemia and aplastic anaemia. However, there are various complications that may be associated with HSCT. Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a potentially serious complication of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. During allogeneic stem cell transplantation, a patient receives stem cells from a donor. GVHD occurs when the…

Real Talk Adapt Estate Administration – Taking control and easing the burden

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Louw-Mari Nell speaks openly about losing her youngest sister, Liezl, to lung cancer and how this has driven her to help grieving families by starting Adapt Estate Administration without prolonging or deepening their sense of loss.

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

Louw-Mari Nell (45) lives in Randburg, Gauteng. When Liezl was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in November 2019, all three sisters, Louw-Mari, Bernadette and Liezl, were living together. Liezl’s two older sisters were beside her every step of the way until her passing in April 2022. Notwithstanding that Louw-Mari is…

Advocacy Get the best possible treatment

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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As an oncology patient, you have loads of questions, especially when dealing with your medical aid to ensure the best possible treatment is covered. Campaigning for Cancer helps navigate this tricky terrain by explaining terminology and the meaning behind it and offers services to help attain the best possible treatment.

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

What is the ICD 10 code? The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth (ICD-10 code) is a classifying and codifying system used by physicians across the world to make diagnoses, and the systems and claim procedures…

Nutrition and Cancer Diet and active colon cancer treatment

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Meagan Atcheson expands on diet and active colon cancer treatment.

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

When you are faced with a colorectal cancer diagnosis, nutrition can be an important part of your journey. Eating a well-balanced diet during and after cancer treatment can help you feel better, maintain strength, and speed your recovery. Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery for colorectal cancer can often contribute to unintentional weight loss. It’s important to avoid excess weight loss during treatment as poor nutrition status can decrease the body’s ability to fight infection. Eat small, frequent meals…

Colorectal Cancer Colorectal cancer

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Daleen Geldenhuys gives us an explanatory rundown on colorectal cancer and the treatment thereof.

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

Incidence Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a frequent cancer worldwide and can be prevented by early detection and removal of precancerous lesions. It’s the third most common malignancy and the second most deadly cancer worldwide. There is an estimated 1.9 million incidence cases and 0.9 million deaths worldwide every year. The incidence of CRC is higher in highly developed countries, and it’s increasing in middle- and low-income countries due to westernisation. Moreover,…

Breast Cancer Norberto and Ana Costa – A true give and take

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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We hear how married couple, Norberto and Ana Costa, faced three cancer diagnoses without medical aid, with their love and sense of humour carrying them through.

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

Norberto (65) and Ana Costa (59) live in Edenvale, Gauteng. They have two sons and one grandson. They have been married for 41 years. When Norberto and Ana moved to South Africa in 1994, they were on a medical aid. However due to the medical aid refusing to pay for Ana’s tubal ligation (fallopian tubes are cut to permanently prevent pregnancy), stating it was…

Frequently Asked Questions Gastrointestinal stromal tumours – FAQ

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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GIST Support International share the most frequently asked questions regarding gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs).

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

What is GIST? GISTs are rare cancers affecting the digestive tract or nearby structures within the abdomen. A GIST is a sarcoma (cancer that grows from cells of the body’s connective or supportive tissues such as bone, cartilage, tendons, nerves, fat, muscle, tissue around joints, or blood vessels). Where do GISTS occur? The most frequent site is the stomach (about 55%), followed by the duodenum and small intestine…

Cancer Care Why fevers should be taken seriously in cancer patients

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Sarita Retief explains why fevers are emergencies in cancer patients and explains the four probable causes.

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

Fevers are a common and worrisome symptom in cancer patients. Causes can broadly be divided in four categories: Infections during immune suppression after chemotherapy. Other incidental infections. Paraneoplastic fever. Treatment-related fever. A fever is an emergency As an oncologist in training, one of the first lessons you learn, is that fever in an oncology patient, most of the times, constitutes an emergency. This is especially true if the patient had chemotherapy within…

Treatment How age plays a role in your treatment

May 31, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Social worker, Avril de Beer, explains the various life stages you could be in when diagnosed and how this and age plays a role in your treatment plan.

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

In your 20s At this age as a young adult, you have many goals you want to achieve. You may want to finish your studies; find a good job; become financially independent from your parents; establish a circle of friends; and form a long-term romantic relationship. Although it might feel as if your diagnosis has ended your goals,…

For the boys Mental health – Men in crisis

May 21, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Chris van den Berg expands on the mental health of South African men.

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

My own awakening about the mental health crisis in South African men happened when viewing a statistic: an average of 14-18 South African men die by suicide every day. This rate is amongst the top 10 highest in the world.2 Four out of five suicide cases are men. In males under 45 years, suicide is the second most common reason for death, while in males between 45 and 64, it’s the sixth most…

Oncology Man Dirk Human – Open and upfront

May 19, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Once Dirk Human was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he learnt quickly how imperative it was to share what he was feeling with his family for them to better understand his experience.

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

Dirk Wynand Human (51) lives in Pretoria, Gauteng with Angela-Lee, his wife, of 28 years. They have a 25-year-old daughter, Marilee. In January 2022 Dirk consulted his GP as he had chest pains which turned out to be stress related. Due to Dirk doing a full blood test a while back, the GP suggested…