Out & About South African Congress of Oncology 2019
September 30, 2019 Word for Word Media
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The first South African Congress of Oncology (SACO) was held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in August. The inaugural South African Congress of Oncology reflects the strength in multi-disciplinary teamwork. It kicked-off with two pre-congress workshops: supportive and palliative care focussing on communication, and neuro-oncology in collaboration with Society for Neuro-Oncology Sub-Saharan Africa (SNOSSA) and Paediatric Brain Tumour Workgroup (PBTW). The first Archbishop Desmond Tutu Distinguished Lecture was delivered by Prof David Stones, retiring HOD of Paediatric Oncology at the University of Free State, speaking on the role and need for early diagnoses.  International speakers Our international…

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Out & About Oncofertility gets the limelight
May 30, 2019 Word for Word Media
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A dedicated oncofertility session was held at the SASREG – ISGE and ESGE Congress 2019. The International Society for Gynaecologic Endoscopy (ISGE) and the European Society of Gynaecological Endoscopists (ESGE) 2019 Congress was hosted by the South African Society for Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endoscopy (SASREG) in Cape Town from 14 – 17 April. The theme was Endoscopy in Africa and Beyond and presented a great opportunity for African and international endoscopists to share ideas, teach skills and improve knowledge in this field.  One of the highlights of the congress was the oncofertility session. This is where the oncology and…

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Out & About OHANCAW free screenings
May 30, 2019 Word for Word Media
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Free oral, head and neck cancer screenings were offered on 10 April at Menlyn Maine Central Square, in Pretoria, by Oral Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week (OHANCAW) South Africa. The US Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA), along with more than 400 national and international screening sites, offered individuals to get screened for oral, head and neck cancers during the 20th annual OHANCAW, which runs from 8 to 15 April.  The community was invited to participate in free head and neck screening. Individuals received a thorough exam and learned more about the symptoms of head and neck cancers, which include:…

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Out & About SASMO Conference 2018
February 5, 2019 Word for Word Media
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Prof Georgia Demetriou tells us about the happenings of the South African Society of Medical Oncology (SASMO) Conference 2018. It was with great excitement that we arrived at Durban International Convention Centre for a weekend of interaction with colleagues in the field of medical oncology, oncology pharmacy, clinical haematology, and fertility preservation of cancer patients.  The primary objective was to develop and enhance the collaboration between all healthcare professionals involved in managing cancer patients in an open and equitable environment. About SASMO SASMO represents and furthers the interests of medical oncologists and oncology patients in the healthcare sector. We seek to…

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Out & About Partnerships save lives
September 26, 2018 Word for Word Media
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We hear the remarkable story of how a partnership between a private oncology centre and a government hospital saved lives and proved the value of working together. The need and solution The East London CancerCare Oncology Centre planned to replace their linear accelerator. An alternative was needed for their patients to receive radiation therapy from February 2018 to June 2018. Frere Hospital was approached to provide a care management platform for the private patients during this time.  The process Eighty-four East London CancerCare patients were treated through 1523 treatment encounters at the Frere Hospital Oncology Unit, and were spared…

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Out & About ICON 2018: outcomes and value-based care
September 26, 2018 Word for Word Media
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The 5th Independent Clinical Oncology Network (ICON) conference was recently held at Century City Conference Centre, in Cape Town, and proved to be a successful and enlightening meeting. Central to ICON is the desire to increase access to affordable and sustainable cancer care, which in the modern oncology era is becoming ever more challenging. As a result, this year ICON chose to focus on outcomes and value-based care.  The intention of the meeting was to explore the important, but difficult, interface between ensuring the highest quality treatment and care for patients, while functioning within the financial limitations of the…

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