Living with Cancer

An interview with Dr Chirantan Bose who discusses the work his organisation is doing with the latest technology and several years of extensive research to offer effective treatment solutions to cancer patients for whom, multiple lines of treatment have failed. Dr Bose brings not only hope to the world of cancer but insight that with early diagnosis that science provides multiple options to explore way to treat cancer patients.  In partnership with Data Cancer Genetics Ltd and Unique Diagnostics South Africa offer some exciting new cancer treatment options.

Dr Chirantan Bose MD, IFCAP (Intl Fellow Member - College of American Pathologists), Post Doc – Molecular Oncology (Univ of Pittsburgh Med Centre), Fellow - Clinical Genetics (Univ of South Wales, UK), MBA (IIT-Bombay), MBA (Washington Univ)

Director - Patient Care Services

Datar Cancer Genetics Limited

Gurgaon, India

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: +91-9963539171

Website: https://datarpgx.com/

An interview with Sandy Gordon who was diagnosed 1st November 2021 with pancreatic cancer.  Sandy is 39 years old and is a primary school teacher in Johannesburg.  Sandy named her cancer Dennis as she felt it was just easier to refer to him by name rather than “my cancer”. Sandy found out about Dennis when she was admitted to hospital with Pancreatitis. The doctors found lesions on her liver, which turned out to be metastasised Pancreatic Cancer. She is currently undergoing Chemotherapy at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and fighting to make sure she is cancer free by September. Sandy shares with us that she has  a wonderful army of supporters that keep her fighting. Sandy's motto  “One day, one fight at a time!”.  A moving but inspirational story which I was privileged to capture as part of our podcast series.

An interview with Oscar who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2019, shares his journey, fears and how he continues to keep his fight spirit in all he does.   Determination, his competitive nature and disciplined approach to life (exercise, fasting and positive attitude) has carried Oscar through many hours of chemotherapy and radiation.  Oscar's is a voice for cancer and believes cancer is not a death sentence! A true inspiration for us all!

"Success in the sports world started early for Oscar. He started competing internationally at age 14; made the National Surf Lifesaving Team at age 15; was the first person in the world to win both Junior and Senior Ironman, aged 15; played for KwaZulu-Natal Schools’ Rugby and SA Schools’ Water polo. He became the youngest canoe Springbok, at age 18, and was the Captain of the first SA Paddling Olympic Team in 1992. He went on to win the World Surfski Champs in Hawaii seven years in a row and then won it on another five occasions, the last being, in 2012. Oscar won his last international race at age 55. And, it doesn’t stop there, currently he coaches and travels to most of the races around the world. Plus, the 58-year-old still competes, even after a multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosis.  Oscar was first diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma and given 4 to 6 months to live, Oscar has openly shared his journey of radiation, chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant with his loyal and supportive global fan base on his social media pages".  (Oncology Buddies)

Recommended books:

Tripping over the Truth: How the Metabolic Theory of Cancer Is Overturning One of Medicine's Most Entrenched Paradigms - Travis Christofferson

Oscar's new book to be launched - 15th August 2022 "No retreat - no surrender" 

An interview with Arthur who is an ex chartered accountant, who “got sold” on the benefits of Therapeutic Reflexology, when it provided him with a permanent solution to Crohn’s disease. This belief inspired him to augment his knowledge and critical thinking skills about well-being, with craniosacral therapy.  Arthur was also diagnosed with cancer in his eye, lost his eye sight in the one eye which lead him to change his career.  Arthur shares his journey with us.

Arthur has helped many people manage their health, vitality and energy – energy is the key to a happy, healthy life.  His method has been developed to solve health problems and improve the quality of peoples’ lives. The aim is to get patients to feel good. Patients receive personalised, effective lifestyle help to improve their health.

Arthur comes from a place where he really wants to make the world a better place and he has had the joy of serving many clients and improving their lives.

Rajes was diagnosed with Stage 3, High grade, B-Cell Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2018. After undergoing treatment in India and then continuing her treatment in South Africa, Rajes is now in remission and lives a healthy and normal life.  Rajes shares how the extended process of trying to obtain a diagnosis and then with her will to survive explored some alternative treatment and life style changes.  Rajes says that for most cancer does not have a face until it's yours or someone you know.

Although cancer will always form part of her life she a warrior fighting spirit and believes that together with meditation, yoga, energy healing, prayer and maintaining self awareness you can fight any disease.  This interview will inspire anyone who has had to face a challenge that would seem insurmountable to most.  We thank Rajes to being brave enough to share her story that may raise awareness for other individuals who may be facing a journey of a similar nature.  

Powerful quote from Rajes "The concerted combined efforts towards a common goal showed the humanity of people and helped in my healing".  Rajes believes the its okay to question your doctors and to see knowledge as power.  Rajes shared that cancer may be part of her, but isn't the whole of her and it certainly does not define her.  

Nikki Seberini interviews Belinda Wagner on Chai FM

2021.11.18 – Belinda Wagner – How Belinda Wagner ensured her diagnosis of a rare cancer, Angiosarcoma, would not take control of her life – “My dream is to build a Patient Lead Cancer Registry”

An interview with Caren Martinis who was diagnosed with breast cancer,  a true warrior and an inspiration to us all!  Caren shares the emotional rollercoaster that a journey of this nature takes you through....

Caren Martinis, a 47 year old single working mother to a 13 year old son, was diagnosed with breast cancer last year February 2020 originally misdiagnosed with Lupis in  the January of the same year. In March Caren met Dr Carol Benn, it was at this point that her cancer journey started. A tumour was found in her right breast.  Post her MRI scans Caren was informed that she would need a complete a double mastectomy, nipple sparing, removal of lymph node and implants.

On 24th of March 2020 Caren was operated on at Milpark Hospital – 2 days before SA went into full lockdown.  The operation was successful the  tumour was removed, however they found traces of cancer in her lymph node.  Caren the met with Dr Mayet, an oncologist who recommended that she under went 10 sessions chemotherapy and 25 sessions radiation. She completed all the treatments by the end January 2021.  Caren believes she only managed to survive this journey through God’s grace, and the love and support from friends and family.  

Dr Elvira Singh shares her views on the Patient Led Cancer Registry that was launched on the 4th of February 2021.  Dr Singh “It is essential that cancer patients take up a central role in reporting their experience of cancer diagnosis and care in South Africa. Currently, the National Cancer Registry (NCR) reports on the numbers of cancer patients diagnosed in laboratories and hospitals around the country. A Patient Led Cancer Registry will be an invaluable partner in assisting the NCR to describe the burden of cancer in South Africa through the incorporation of patient-reported data into our incidence analysis,” said Dr Elvira Singh: Head: National Cancer Registry: National Health Laboratory Service.

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Another interview with Charne Roux, a nutritionist focusing on nutrition for cancer, who provides insight to the what to eat, which vitamins and supplements you should be taking.  An informative podcast that will help you navigate your cancer journey before, during and after treatment.

Contact information:

Email: [email protected]

Whatsapp: 072 74 76 000

Instagram: @charneroux

An interview with Charne Roux, a nutritionist focusing on nutrition for cancer, who provides insight to the what to eat, which vitamins and supplements you should be taking.  An informative podcast that will help you navigate your cancer journey before, during and after treatment.

Contact information:

Email: [email protected]

Whatsapp: 072 74 76 000

Instagram: @charneroux