Dr Justus Apffelstaedt talks about how artificial intelligence is now playing a crucial role in breast cancer detection and how this technology reduces false positives while improving detection rates.
This interview talks about everything to do with breast cancer. The most important message is: It is treatable! 90-95% of people diagnosed with breast cancer go on to live a full life. The full interview with Dr Hoosain and Dr Apffelstaedt is available to listen to here.
Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation with their plentiful significant side-effects should be administered only after careful deliberation of the potential benefit they can have for the patient. Selection criteria for radiotherapy after surgery in the elderly have been refined and subgroups identified, in whom radiotherapy may safely be avoided. This article provides an insight into treatment considerations for older patients.
Does it really hurt to have a mammogram and are drinkers really at a higher risk of developing breast cancer? With so many myths and preconceived ideas on the internet and in our minds, it is often difficult to distinguish between fact and fiction. Breast, thyroid, and parathyroid specialists Dr Justus Apffelstaedt and Dr Fatima Hoosain help to debunk some common misconceptions about breast health.
A topic that is not frequently discussed is that of intimacy and sexual health post a breast cancer diagnosis. Whilst these conversations do take place between patients and medical practitioners, there is often hesitation about raising questions and discussing the reality of intimate relationships. This article sensitively delves into this topic.
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women. A comprehensive research effort stretching back more than half a century makes breast cancer the most well-understood cancer, with advanced screening and treatment therapies available. Women are surviving longer, have increased remission rates and, in many cases, live as long as their cancer-free counterparts. Consequently, life after breast cancer is an increasingly important topic due to the negative effects of life-saving breast cancer treatments such as cardiovascular toxicity, bone loss and more. This article focuses on bone loss.
Our doctors Justus Apffelstaedt and Fatima Hoosain (specialist surgeons with an interest in breast, thyroid, and parathyroid health as well as soft tissue surgical oncology) stress the importance of being prepared for treatment post a breast cancer diagnosis. Whilst the physical side effects of treatment are generally fully discussed, it’s as important for all cancer patients to prepare for the psychological impact of their treatment and the long-term physical realities.
It is not until the second phase of post-partum thyroiditis that most women will notice symptoms. This typically occurs four to eight months after delivery and could last for up to nine months to a year. Women should be encouraged to use this broad timeline as a framework to check in with their bodies as time progresses following giving birth and be on the lookout for common symptoms.
For women undergoing breast cancer treatment, it is a fact that some of their treatments will result in treatment-induced bone loss. For those who are already at risk of bone density loss, this can result in fragility fractures if not managed from the start of treatments. Fragility fractures decrease the quality of life and, if a weight-bearing bone such as the femur is involved, can lead to loss of mobility and through complications, even premature death. This is an important consideration for your medical team to discuss with you.
Fresh FM discusses how breast cancer is treated when the patient is pregnant. There are complex medical conversations that need to take place to ensure the health of both mother and child during treatment. The full interview is available to listen to here.
Published in Republikein, this article provides detailed information on fertility and pregnancy considerations when diagnosed with breast cancer. The article is free to read on their site from 12:00 each day.
With kind permission from The Morning Wave, Mix 93.8, the full interview is available to be listened to here. This is a great information based interview, filled with Q&A's :
Unlike post-partum depression, post-partum thyroiditis has not received as much attention and many pregnant women are unaware that this should be something to look out for too.
Twee uit elke drie vroue ly onder langtermyntrauma. Klik hier om meer te lees.
Early detection and treatment of breast cancer is crucial with all forms of breast cancers. It is even more important with rare forms of breast cancers that require a certain level of expertise to be detected. For example, Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Paget’s disease of the nipple often escape mammographic and ultrasound detection but are obvious to the skilled and experienced examiner.
Cervical cancer screening as seen through the eyes of a surgeon. An article by Dr Fatima Hoosain, this details the importance of cervical cancer screening, and the very treatable cancer that is is, if detected early.
For a great article by Salome Delport of Rooi Rose, click on the link below (or above) to read more.
Many South Africans are still unaware of what the thyroid is, let alone the impact of thyroid cancer. This lack of awareness makes it challenging for individuals to detect and diagnose thyroid diseases early, which can significantly affect their chances of recovery. The importance of early detection and diagnosis cannot be overstated. Thyroid cancer is one of the fastest-growing cancers globally, and it affects people of all ages and genders. Early detection and diagnosis can increase the chances of successful treatment and recovery. The full article is available here.
Staging breast cancer is an integral part of the patient's journey in understanding their disease. It allows the patient and their medical team to have a better look at the progression of the disease: how large the tumour is, and whether the cancer has spread locally in the breast or in other organs or tissues in the patient's body, as well as helping the patient understand their survival chances.
City Press published this article around the detection of rare forms of breast cancer on 30 April 2023. https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/early-breast-cancer-diagnosis-crucial-20230430
That spectacular coverage was afforded by My Wellness Matters! With their permission, the full media clips are below:
With permission from Channel Africa, the full interview clips with Dr Apffelstaedt are below:
Refilwe Moloto spoke to Dr Apffelstaedt on Wednesday, 17th August about Breast Cancer and Men. To listen to the full clip, click on: https://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/452348/don-t-ignore-the-lump-reminder-that-men-can-get-breast-cancer-too
