OctNov 2023 Archives

Childhood Cancer Paediatric palliative care

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

Paediatric oncologist, Diane Mackinnon, advocates paediatric palliative care, stating that good palliative care helps children live happily and make memories.

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

Any child diagnosed with a life-threatening or a life-limiting condition will benefit from palliative care. Palliate comes from the Latin root palliare, meaning to cloak: the aim of palliative care is to optimise quality of life, mitigate suffering and help children and their families live well in the face of serious illness. It’s the active total care of a child’s body, mind…

Patient Stories Where are they now?

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Two of our Cancer Warriors, Paula Robertson and Xolani Hlongwane, share what has happened since they shared their stories.

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

Paula Robertson Paula Robertson (65) lives in Glenvista, Gauteng with her husband. She is a proud granny to three grandchildren. Since finishing treatment for colon cancer in 2015, Paula continued with her life and that included playing hockey. In March 2020, she was chosen for the 60-year age group (A squad) to represent SA at the World Masters Hockey World Cup…

In the Spotlight FOURsight – eye problems

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Jiten Mistry describes four eye problems to look out for during oncology treatments.

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

Eye health can easily be overlooked when faced with a life-threatening diagnosis such as cancer. Certain cancers, and even cancer treatments, can potentially have a negative impact on your ocular health and it’s important to be aware of them. Early detection and treatment of eye complications in cancer patients can be sight-saving and improve overall quality of life. The various cancer treatment modalities (steroids, radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy) can…

Real Talk Finding your inner calm

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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How do you find your inner calm in the face of a cancer diagnosis and treatment? Avril de Beer suggests a few ideas.

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

Being diagnosed with cancer is a life-altering experience giving rise to distress, emotional turmoil, and feelings of helplessness. Fear of the unknown is ignited when your doctor explains your treatment plan with its unfamiliar terms and the odd-sounding names of different types of chemotherapy. It takes time to work through your emotions and to accept that you have cancer….

Childhood Cancer Liver transplantation in hepatoblastoma

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Sarah Berkenfeld, a paediatric gastroenterologist, details when and how a liver transplantation is chosen for treatment of hepatoblastoma.

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

Understanding hepatoblastoma Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver cancer in children. In the past 30 years, overall five-year survival post-transplant has improved from 30 to 90%. Hepatoblastoma is staged according to how much of the liver has been invaded by the tumour both before and after chemotherapy and extent of spread of the disease. Cure is highly dependent on removing the…

In the Spotlight Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Lizette Louw educates on peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, a nuclear medicine therapy, and explains why it’s an effective treatment choice for neuroendocrine tumours.

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

What is nuclear medicine? Nuclear medicine is a specialised area of medical imaging that uses small amounts of radioactivity to examine organ function. The radioactive atom is linked to a specific molecule, depending on which organ system will be imaged. This radioactive molecule, called a radiopharmaceutical or radiotracer, then images a physiological process in the body, without interfering…

Skin Cancer What people with darker skin tones need to know about skin cancer

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Skin cancer is a condition that affects people of all skin colours, including those with darker skin tones. Dr Rakesh Newaj, a dermatologist, elaborates further.

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

Skin cancer is a significant health concern that affects people of all skin colours. While it’s commonly associated with people who have fair skin, it is crucial to recognise that people with darker skin tones are also susceptible to this condition. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions and lack of awareness, skin cancer in people with darker skin tones…

Know your cancer Stomach cancer

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Dr Daleen Geldenhuys educates us on stomach cancer and explains why nutritional support is imperative.

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

What is stomach cancer? There are several cancers that can originate in the stomach. These include MALT lymphomas, neuroendocrine tumours, and adenocarcinomas, which will be focused on below. Adenocarcinomas Adenocarcinomas can vary in position in the stomach. It can be a localised ulcer in any part of the stomach or a widespread infiltration in the lining of the stomach, not showing a superficial ulcer, resulting in a…

Patient Stories Arlene Sanford – I’ve always had chutzpah

September 29, 2023 Word for Word Media

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Arlene Sanford says she has always had chutzpah (nerve) and now she is using that chutzpah to fight metastatic stomach cancer.

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

Arlene Sanford (66) lives with her husband, Neil, in Rivonia, Gauteng. Around mid-2022, Arlene started losing weight as she couldn’t eat. “Everything was getting stuck, so I went to our GP and he sent me for an ultrasound. After that I was sent for a colonoscopy (an exam to look for changes in the large intestine and rectum) which was clear,…