Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Xolani Hlongwane – Embracing change
June 1, 2020 Word for Word Media
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From being a successful group HR administrator to now working as a donor recruiter and education specialist at The Sunflower Fund, Xolani Hlongwane tells us how his life changed after surviving Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Xolani Hlongwane (36) lives in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal with his partner of two years. Growing up in the township of Lamontville, Xolani is the eldest of four children. He became the first person in his family to attend university; an achievement his parents are extremely proud of.  Xolani paid for his education by waiting on tables and completed it by sheer determination, not only to make a success of himself but…

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Counting Pennies What to do when liaising with your medical scheme
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Elsabé Klinck gives advice on how to liaise with your medical scheme when various administrative and legal issues arise. Approval of treatment plans Doctors will talk to patients about the treatment options available to them. Once the patient has agreed to a specific plan of action, a treatment regime is developed, which will map out the course of treatment, how frequently treatment is to be received, in what form (e.g. by oral medication, and/or through infusions, etc.). The doctor will also discuss side effects, and possible treatment difficulties, and risks with the patient.  In oncology, nearly all treatment plans must be recommended for approval…

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Melanoma Beat melanoma through early detection
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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May was Melanoma Awareness Month and CANSA highlights the stories of two survivors living with skin cancer to help educate and promote early detection of cancer. Melanoma, though less common than other skin cancers, is lethal. Exposure of the skin to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation in childhood, increases the risk of melanoma later in life. Though it may be possible to have a melanoma even if you haven’t had extreme UV exposure.  Some melanomas are extremely aggressive and progress rapidly within a few months. Early detection of melanoma is key to improved survival outcomes with five-year survival rates being…

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Melanoma Mohs surgery
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Tshepo Mokwena explains Mohs surgery for skin cancer. What is Mohs surgery? Also referred to as Mohs micrographic surgery, it’s a precise surgical technique used to treat different types of skin cancers.  During Mohs surgery, thin layers of cancer-containing skin are adequately removed, and microscopically examined until only cancer-free tissue remains.  The principle of Mohs surgery was developed, in 1938, by a general surgeon, Frederic E. Mohs, and the process was modified and perfected with modern technology to date. The state-of-the-art procedure allows a specialist dermatologist to be a surgeon (Mohs surgeon), a pathologist and a reconstructive surgeon. The process…

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For the boys The experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Paddy O’Brien shares his experience of undergoing robotic-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Paddy O’Brien (65) lives in Pinelands, Cape Town with his wife. They have two adult children. Diagnosis For 15 years, Paddy had a benign enlarged prostate, living with the condition of urgent, frequent urination. In April 2017, a routine PSA test raised concerns. He asked his specialist urologist, who had confirmed the enlarged prostate, about performing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), a surgery used to treat urinary problems that are caused by an enlarged prostate. The specialist agreed, but recommended a needle-biopsy at the same time. The op was performed…

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For the boys Prostate cancer: A detailed review
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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We take an in-depth look at prostate cancer, the symptoms and how it is staged. Age and screening Screening, which includes a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam (DRE), can help detect prostate cancer in the early stages when it can be cured. Early detection reduces the risk of dying by up to 56%. Informed patient-based screening is recommended, by the Prostate Cancer Foundation, in men with a life expectancy of more than 10 years in the following situations: From the age of 40 in black African men and in men who have a…

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Oncofertility Ovarian tissue cryopreservation
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Chris Venter expands on ovarian tissue cryopreservation – a novel fertility preservation technique for selective clinical cases. Early cancer detection and advances in chemotherapeutic treatment regimens have led to a dramatic increase in cancer survivors.  A large proportion of these survivors are women of reproductive age. Research has shown that one of the major concerns in these cancer survivors is the impact of cancer treatment on their reproductive health.  Fertility-risk assessment and counselling prior to chemotherapy is steadily becoming the standard of care in South Africa. This is in keeping with a holistic approach to the needs of the patient and future quality…

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Treatment Doctor, I don’t want chemotherapy
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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Dr Sarita Retief explains why chemotherapy is still the best oncology treatment that is available (for now). When I see a newly diagnosed patient for the first time, I often get these words, “I don’t want chemotherapy” within the first few sentences spoken. As if the patient couldn’t wait to get it off his/her chest. This is something people talk about casually over a dinner date or at braais. Usually after they have witnessed or heard about somebody dying of cancer; they then declare that they never want to go through such suffering and would never take such treatment…

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Bladder Cancer Bladder preservation with tri-modality therapy
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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We learn more about bladder preservation with tri-modality therapy in treatment of bladder cancer. Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the urinary system, with an estimated 550 000 new cases worldwide as reported in 20181.  Patients with bladder cancer typically present with gross or microscopic haematuria (blood in urine). Though, symptoms such as a change in urination frequency, urgency, pain or discomfort when urinating, or waking up during the night because you need to urinate frequently may be initial signs of bladder cancer. Risk factors, diagnosis and staging of bladder cancer  Risk factors include exposure to chemical carcinogens, cigarette smoking, chronic…

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Colon Cancer Colostomy surgery
May 29, 2020 Word for Word Media
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We learn the ins and outs of the colostomy surgery procedure. What is a colostomy? A colostomy is an operation that creates an opening for the large bowel to exit through the abdominal wall. The end of the large bowel is stitched to the skin to form an opening, called a stoma. Why do I need a colostomy?  A colostomy may be needed if, as the result of an illness, injury or problem with your digestive system, or you can’t pass stools through your anus. You may have a colostomy to treat: Colon/rectal cancer Crohn’s disease  Diverticulitis Anal cancer Vaginal…

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