Living with Cancer

Belinda Wagner was featured in The View Point SAfm Radio Station to discuss her journey with her rare cancer and her experiences along the way, inspiring many cancer worriers.

Episode 5 is includes an interview with Dr Durra, who provides some understanding and insight into the world of radiology.  Dr Durra explains the different types of test/scans, the process and the various roles during this diagnosis journey.  Dr Durra qualified MBChB from the University of Cape Town / Groote Schuur Hospital (UCT/GSH) in 1986 completing his internship there in 1987. This was followed by a 6 month senior house office (SHO) post in Paediatrics at Red Cross Children’s hospital in Cape Town.

After a brief period as a GP in Canada and locuming in London, UK, he returned to UCT/GSH taking up 6-month SHO posts in Emergency Medicine, Rheumatology and Cardiology in 1991/1992. He completed his registrarship in Radiology at the same institution qualifying in 1996. After 18 months as a Consultant in provincial service, he joined a private practice in Cape Town.

He has been in his current position as a Specialist Radiologist at Dr L Sulman and Partners since March 2004. Dr Durra has a special interest in Oncological imaging including the modalities of Ultrasound, CT and MRI. He is involved in a number of international Oncological drug trials which require CT or MRI monitoring of responses to new cancer drug treatments and has attended several conferences and investigators’ meetings.

His other main interests are Musculoskeletal MRI (including knees, shoulders, hips) and Neuroradiology and he has attended a number of related conferences including the internationally-accredited Stoller Orthopaedic and Sports Imaging MRI course and accompanying intensive workshop in San Francisco and the RSNA (Radiological Society of North America) meeting in Chicago,USA.

This episode includes an interview with Salomé Meyer and Linda Greeff from the Cancer Alliance.  They discuss the partnership with The Cancer Alliance and Living with Cancer, their views on how the patient led cancer registry is vital to enhance current cancer registry. The data that the LWC patient-led cancer registry collates will be added to the current National Cancer registry to look at cancer incidents and to improve planning for cancer services in South Africa in the long run.

Salomé Meyer is the project manager of Access to Medicine campaign. She is also one of the three co-owners of the Cancer Alliance, which is a collective group of cancer control non-profit organisations and cancer advocates brought together under a common mandate, to provide a platform of collaboration for cancer civil society to speak with one voice and be a powerful tool to affect change for all South African adults and children affected by cancer.

Contact details:

Work: 021 689 1942

Skype: salomemeyer

Twitter: @Cancer_ZA

Web: www.canceralliance.co.za

Linda Greeff is a private oncology social worker consultant, health advocate, palliative care social worker, grief counsellor, and one of the three co-owners of The Cancer Alliance. Linda is also one of our fierce overian cancer worrier and definatly an insperation to all as she shares her journey and experiences.

Contact Details:

Mobile: 082 551 3310

Email: [email protected]

Website http://lindagreeff.co.za/

Candice Kushka, a physiotherapist who specialises in oncology rehabilitation and lymphoedema therapy. This podcast provides insights of how physiotherapy greatly impacts anyone that is undergoing a cancer journey. Learn about her experiences working overseas and with many different cancer patients. 

Contact Details: www.bryanstonphysiotherapy.co.za

011 463 0348 

[email protected]

Interview with Christie Fraser - Look Good Feel Better

Program Director at Look Good Feel Better

An interview Christie Fraser who shares with us how the Look Good Fee Better team assist cancer patients to look good and feel better.

Cancer can rob a patient of their energy, appetite and strength but it need not take away their self-confidence.  The Look Good…Feel Better programme is the Cosmetic Industry helping cancer patients, undergoing active treatment, in a practical and positive way.  Look Good…Feel Better provides free two-hour beauty workshops through a network of hospitals, and oncology units, specially designed to assist patients to manage the appearance-related side effects of   chemotherapy & radiotherapy, thereby helping to restore their appearance & self-image.  Over 46 659 woman and men cancer patients have now attended a Look Good…Feel Better workshop at one of the 37 venues in 7 major cities in South Africa since the programme began in 2004.

Recommended book:

The Anatomy of Hope by Gerome Groopman

Back a buddy - Fund raiser:

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/be-their-hope

Look Good Feel Better Website link:

http://www.lgfb.co.za/

Welcome to our Living with Cancer podcast series.   The aim of these podcasts are to create a space where we can share knowledge, testimony, asked for advice and connect with other people living with cancer.  We will be interviewing experts in their field who work with cancer patients pre, during and post their treatment.  We will also be interviewing warriors where they will be sharing their own personal journeys with us, hopefully giving hope to anyone who has been newly diagnosed or is struggling with their cancer journey.