Cancer specialist revives hope for survivors
The venue at the NG Kerk Constantiakruin was packed with cancer survivors and caregivers on Saturday, 9 February, as Shivona shared her medical expertise and philosophy in an effort to untangle the complications related to managing the disease.
Members of the Chatroom had all their questions relating to cancer answered when specialist Dr Shivona Moodley, a registrar in Radiation Oncology at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, visited the group.
The venue at the NG Kerk Constantiakruin was packed with cancer survivors and caregivers on Saturday, 9 February, as Shivona shared her medical expertise and philosophy in an effort to untangle the complications related to managing the disease.
“From my experience in dealing with cancer patients on a daily basis, I can tell you that cancer is not just about medicine; it’s about treating a person from a holistic perspective,” she said.
She discussed various ways of dealing with a patient. “It’s about understanding that they [cancer patients] have physical, emotional and spiritual needs beyond their medical needs – and addressing those appropriately.
“It’s really important for patients, even though chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are important parts of cancer management, to identify their own strength and courage, to find faith and get over their fear and anxiety in order for them to deal with cancer in the best possible and most complete way,” she explained.
Shirona told Northsider that her message to the patients was not to let the illness define who they are, “…because it’s very easy for them to take on the identity of a cancer survivor, instead of growing and being more than just a survivor of the disease”.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at roodepoortrecord@caxton.co.za (remember to include your contact details) or phone us on 011 955 1130.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
