Cancer stigma is a great problem in South Africa, it touches all groups, ages and genders and impacts cancer patients daily.
With our current survey we aim to gain more information and insight into the role of cancer stigma in our communities.
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Date of Birth – 6 May 1936 Prostate Cancer Having neglected to have a proper medical check-up for more than 30 years decided to undertake one before moving down to the Cape in September,1998. Result was fine except that my P.S.A. reading was 8.68. Was therefore referred to a consultant eurologist :- 17-09-98 – Biopsy..
Having neglected to have a proper medical check-up for more than 30 years decided to undertake one before moving down to the Cape in September,1998.
Result was fine except that my P.S.A. reading was 8.68. Was therefore referred to a consultant eurologist :-
17-09-98 – Biopsy – Negative
Oct 98 – moved to Cape.
14-12-99 – P.S.A. 16.2 Biopsy – Negative.
07-06-00 – P.S.A. 13.3
30-11-00 – P.S.A. 15.5 Biopsy Positive – Staging T1C -
Gleason 7. Opted for retropubic radical prostetectomy.
19-01-01 – Bone scan – clear.
23-01-01 – Operation – Stage found to be actually T3B with Gleason 7. Side effects +/- 20% incontinence. Impotence ( not the train smash that one might imagine!)
14-01-02 P.S.A. starting to rise from low base.
12-05-03 P.S.A. accelerating. Conclusion reached that there must be localised residual cancer in the margins of operation site. Surgeon confident that it was not a remote cancer. Therefore opted for External Beam Radio Therapy confined to surounds of operation site.
26-05-03 Radio therapy started – 68 Gray units.
11-07-03 Radio therapy completed. Only side effect some tiredness.
Results – steady reduction in P.S.A. to 0.1 on 11-08-04 where it has remained ever since.
Keep very fit, eat all the right things and rest after lunch – all is well to date. Surgeon’s recent comment ” I think we have it licked .”
John is a cancer buddy and also involved with the Cape Town Southern Suburbs Prostate Group
Cell number for Prostate support group Southern Suburbs .
