Buddies For Life

CDKs - the chart-topping hit on the breast cancer playlist

Prof Carol-Ann Benn explains why CDK inhibitors are topping the breast cancer playlist for luminal breast cancers. This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Boston…

31 May 2024 11 min

Zweli Nkosi - the gentle giant

Zweli Nkosi shares how he dealt with family responses to him having breast cancer and how his wife, Patricia, is his pillar of strength. This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to the contributor and do not necessarily…

31 May 2024 5 min

All eyes on DCIS

Dr Lucienne Van Schalkwyk educates us on the elusive pre-invasive form of breast cancer: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position…

31 May 2024 7 min

Stuart Cox - doing it his way

Stuart Cox tells us why he kept his breast cancer diagnosis quiet at first and why he feels like a fraud due to only having minimal side effects from chemotherapy. This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to…

31 May 2024 6 min

Is your doctor listening?

Dr Michelle King expands on good indications that shows your doctor is actively listening to you when you speak. This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position…

31 May 2024 4 min

What is your golden thread of motivation?

Nadia Booysen elaborates on how to stay motivated when your cancer journey gets tough and turbulent. This podcast is brought to you by Boston Scientific. Statements of fact and opinions expressed in this episode belong to the contributor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or position of Boston Scientific…

31 May 2024 4 min

Whistle a happy tune

Sandra Bollen-Hughes elaborates on how a positive quote or song can be used to fill your mind with strength and positivity while treatment is ongoing. Sandra Bollen-Hughes is a counselling psychologist. In 2015 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and realised the great burden of stress that cancer places on…

2 Apr 2024 5 min

Nompumelelo Jwili - I found my calling

Nompumelelo Jwili shares how she found her calling as an oncology nurse. This episode is brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare in the interest of education, awareness, and support. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the contributor and are not the opinion or position of Aspen Pharmacare.

2 Apr 2024 4 min

Let's do chair cardio

Have you ever heard of chair cardio? If you haven’t, Jennifer Dunn explains what it is and how it can benefit you during and after treatment. Jennifer Dunn is an occupational and lymphoedema therapist who also has certification in cancer rehabilitation. Her practice, based in Cape Town, focuses on adult…

2 Apr 2024 6 min

The breast illusions

Prof Carol-Ann Benn uncovers the breast illusions that may look like cancer and warns that when it’s not cancer, you need the master magician to spot the trick. Prof Carol-Ann Benn heads up an internationally accredited, multi-disciplinary breast cancer centre at Netcare Milpark Hospital. She lectures at Wits University and,…

2 Apr 2024 11 min

Nonhlanhla Sephula - ploughing back

Nonhlanhla Sephula tells her story of how breast cancer inspired her to start Risima Foundation so she could spread the hope. This episode is brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare in the interest of education, awareness, and support. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the contributor and…

2 Apr 2024 6 min

Bargaining: the endless internal conversation

Nadia Booysen expands on the transformative potential that bargaining has when faced with a cancer diagnosis. Nadia Booysen is a cancer survivor and an oncology counsellor (B Social Work Honours (UP), BA Psychology Honours (Unisa), PGDip (PallMed) (UCT)). She consults at the DMO practices: Sandton Oncology and the West Rand…

2 Apr 2024 6 min

Living with Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

Monica Araujo explores Li-Fraumeni Syndrome (LFS) and the cancers associated with it (including breast cancer) and the pivotal role of genetic counselling in managing its complexities. Monica Araujo is a genetic counsellor and lecturer at the Division of Human Genetics at the National Health Laboratory Service and University of the…

2 Apr 2024 7 min

Facing Parkinson’s disease and breast cancer

Bronwen Karovsky opens up about how she managed Parkinson’s disease during breast cancer surgery. This episode is brought to you by Aspen Pharmacare in the interest of education, awareness, and support. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the contributor and are not the opinion or position of…

2 Apr 2024 5 min

Maintaining hope when faced with a cancer diagnosis

Having control over the decisions you make is the answer to maintaining hope, no matter what the outcome. Dr Michelle King explains further. Dr Michelle King is part of an inter-disciplinary pain clinic and palliative care team in Limpopo. She has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Chronic Pain Management, a…

2 Apr 2024 5 min

Reflexology lymph drainage

Isla Blasa helps us understand the complementary therapy of reflexology lymph drainage that helps ease lymphoedema. Isla Blasa is a registered therapeutic reflexologist and an approved reflexology lymph drainage practitioner, based in Midrand, Gauteng. She has a special interest in helping manage chronic conditions. In support of World Cancer Month…

7 Feb 2024 5 min

No heat meals

Dietitian Berna Harmse shares various no-heat meals that are easy and convenient to make, all the while still healthy and nutritious. Berna Harmse is a private practising dietitian. She holds a MSc in Dietetics and has a special interest in oncology nutrition. She is also an external lecturer at Stellenbosch…

7 Feb 2024 5 min

Are you tired of everything being about your cancer?

Nadia Booysen offers three wise words when you are tired of everything being about your cancer: stop, breathe, and rethink. Nadia Booysen is a cancer survivor and an oncology counsellor (BSW Hons Social Work (UP), BA Hons (Psychology) (Unisa), PGDip (PallMed) (UCT)). She consults at the DMO practices: Sandton Oncology…

7 Feb 2024 5 min

Prehabilitation - the ultimate quest

Never mind New Year resolutions; how about a quest to get fitter? Prof Carol-Ann Benn challenges you to the ultimate quest (The Lord of the Rings style): prehabilitation. Prof Carol-Ann Benn heads up an internationally accredited, multi-disciplinary breast cancer centre at Netcare Milpark Hospital. She lectures at Wits University and,…

7 Feb 2024 14 min

Amelia Mbungwana - a survivor of her own journey

Amelia Mbungwana has so much to be proud of in her life, and facing a breast cancer diagnosis at age 30 with such vigour and grace is added to the long list. Laurelle Williams is the editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of…

7 Feb 2024 6 min