SUBSCRIBE
Sat, Jul 2, 2022
Health For Mzansi
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices
No Result
View All Result
Health For Mzansi
No Result
View All Result

Cancer: ‘Everyone should know they’re not alone’

by Vuyile Madwantsi
10th Sep 2021
in Trending
Reading Time: 6 mins read
A A
Breast cancer survivor

Elin Losper (middle) is a breast cancer survivor and beneficiary of a surgery and care pack programme by Project Flamingo, founded by Dr Liana Roodt (left). Photos: Supplie/Food For Mzansi

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Whatsapp

Elin Losper from Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape is one of many recipients of surgery through Project Flamingo. It’s an NGO that works to give breast cancer patients timely treatment in an environment where waiting times in the public healthcare system are lengthy.  

Elin Losper. a recipient of surgery through Project Flamingo. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mzansi

Losper discovered a lump in her right breast in 2018. And she acted quickly, going to Groote Schuur Hospital for a biopsy. 

“I was told that the lump was not cancerous so I must come back in two years.” 

ADVERTISEMENT

Two years went by and as the set date for her consultation arrived, so did Covid-19. Her appointment and the healthcare she happened to need at the time, were pushed back. 

“At the beginning of this year I realised that the lump was back and I was told to come back on 28 May. I was then diagnosed with breast cancer after three biopsies,” Losper says.

ADVERTISEMENT

The day her life changed

On the day of 9 June 2021, Losper heard that she would get a mastectomy. “That is a memory that will live with me forever. I returned home with a scar.”

But unlike others who say that their world came to a standstill at the news, Losper took it as a confirmation of an earlier suspicion. “My initial reaction was not one of shock. I wasn’t surprised to hear it; I was expecting it to happen.

“On the other hand, my children and husband were terribly scared,” she says, “but one thing I can tell you is that they never left my side the entire journey.” Losper believes that having a support system is vital. Even something as little as a care pack she had received from Project Flamingo, had power.

A little package with great power

“At the hospital I was given a bag and told to go home and come back the following day,” Losper recalls about the night before being admitted for her surgery. That’s when everything sunk in.

ADVERTISEMENT

“What [that little bag] signified in my life tormented me, and I couldn’t get away from it. I even told my daughter to look inside the bag because I didn’t have the courage to do so myself.”

“I was so emotional at the time that I told my daughter to take ‘that cancer bag’ away from me. I imagined at the time that it contained medications, but I was wrong,” Losper says.

“When my daughter opened it, inside was a toiletry bag with goodies and, of course, a chocolate,” she says with a smile. “The next day when I looked at the bag I saw the pink logo for Project Flamingo. I realised I wasn’t alone. I am not alone and I’m not the only breast cancer patient,” she says.

“It kept me going to realise that there’s a whole world outside of your comfort zone who cares about you and your wellbeing. It made me appreciate life more than ever.  

“I was admitted to the hospital on Friday 27 August and my mastectomy was scheduled for 28 August. I realised that Saturday that, three months ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and three months later I don’t have a breast. But it does not make me sad; quite the opposite really,” Losper says.

Compassion for patients like her

Working with cancer patients: Justus Apffelstaedt
Doctor Justus Apffelstaedt is a specialist surgeon with a particular interest in breast, thyroid and parathyroid health management. Photo: Supplied/Apffelstaedt, Hoosain & Associates

Statistics from the National Cancer Registry (NCR) of 2017 show that breast, cervical, colorectal, uterine and lung cancer account for the top five cancers that affect women in South Africa. 

Approximately 19,4 million women in South Africa who are 15 years or older live at risk to develop breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in the country.

And many of the women of Mzansi who do get diagnosed, are left either untreated, unsupported or overwhelmed. Dr Justus Apffelstaedt and Dr Fatima Husain recently wrote that patients are sadly dying from treatable and manageable diseases because those from poor communities are often being diagnosed too late, suffer poor access to healthcare services, wait too long for treatment or have a lack of knowledge and understanding of their condition and potential for treatment.

It is a similar reason for which Dr Liana Roodt, a general surgeon, started Project Flamingo, and for which NGOs invest in awareness campaigns.

Signs and symptoms  

NGOs such as the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), the Breast Health Foundation, Pink Drive and many more aim to educate the public about healthy living, the risk factors, signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and support.

The most common signs of breast cancer include a lump or a mass in the breast, usually painless and hard, but also swelling, skin irritations, breast pain, a nipple discharge other than breast milk, a lump in the underarm area and a thickened nipple or redness. 

To find more information on breast cancer, read through the information of the Breast Health Foundation, Cancervive, Pink Drive and Reach for Recovery.

Breast cancer support system.
Elin Losper with her husband, daughter and son. Photo: Supplied/Health For Mansi

Thankful for the right care

Losper is thankful to Project Flamingo and their team for ensuring that patients receive the attention they need, and for making them feel special. “It is not just me. Everybody should know that they are not alone; there is a community of people who are willing to provide a helping hand when needed.”

Losper now has a check-up scheduled in the next three weeks. “My mood is fantastic right now.” As part of her, rehabilitation she was referred to a Reach for Recovery clinic where she was instructed to do some exercises a week after the operation. “I’m looking forward to just being obedient to what I’ve been told to do.” 

ALSO READ: Tackling breast cancer care from the ground up

Tags: Breast cancerGroote Schuur HospitalProject Flamingo
Share130Tweet81Send
Previous Post

The African plant that captured Armani’s attention

Next Post

High-fat diets might break the body clock

Vuyile Madwantsi

Vuyile Madwantsi

Related Articles

Tips and tricks to help your baby sleep better
Trending

Tips and tricks to help your baby sleep better

by Staff Reporter
1st Jul 2022
0

The phrase 'I slept like a baby' doesn't always ring true for many parents. To assist moms and dads to enjoy a good night's sleep, a study has revealed how responsive parenting...

Read more
Sleep deprivation is detrimental to your health.

Why you should log off, shut down and sleep

30th Jun 2022
When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

29th Jun 2022
Monkeypox: Disease experts give the true facts

Monkeypox: Disease experts give the true facts

28th Jun 2022
Next Post
High-fat diets: Research has been done on rats.

High-fat diets might break the body clock

Children and vaccination

Kids' vaccine trials: Parents have mixed feelings

Mopani worms are a favorite for Chef Amanda chef Manyatshe. Photos: Supplied/Health For Mzansi.

Mopani worms are a true South African delicacy

Stories

Finding a happy medium: Divorce vs co-parenting
Loyiso taps into liquid gold of extra virgin olive oil
Youth transform dumping site into thriving food garden
Winter: An ideal time to plant root veggies, take stock
Early pregnancy care essential for moms-to-be
Meet Mzansi’s Keto Queen, Sharney Blackway
Heart health: Keep your diet lean, clean and green
Yummy Meatless Wellington
No Result
View All Result

Categories

  • Choices (40)
  • Conversations (76)
  • Featured (1)
  • Grow It (52)
  • My Health (103)
  • Podcast (44)
  • Recipes (56)
  • Remedies (5)
  • Trending (276)

Recent

Wake-up call: Invest early in children’s mental health

Wake-up call: Invest early in children’s mental health

1st Jul 2022
Tips and tricks to help your baby sleep better

Tips and tricks to help your baby sleep better

1st Jul 2022
Sleep deprivation is detrimental to your health.

Why you should log off, shut down and sleep

30th Jun 2022
Health For Mzansi

Contact us
Office: +27 21 879 1824

Marketing: +27 71 147 0388
News: hello@healthformzansi.co.za
Advertising: sales@foodformzansi.co.za

Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy

cropped-H4M-Podcast-Featured.png

Sisters Without Shame

cropped-Harsha-Jovuka.jpg

Finding a happy medium: Divorce vs co-parenting

cropped-poster-26.webp

Young doctors bring cheap private healthcare to Flats

Wake-up call: Invest early in children’s mental health

Tips and tricks to help your baby sleep better

Why you should log off, shut down and sleep

The heavy mental toll of carrying extra weight

Olive vs vegetable oil: Soak up the best of both worlds

When is a disease deemed a global emergency?

No Result
View All Result
  • Trending
  • My Health
  • Conversations
    • Podcast
  • Grow It
  • Recipes
  • Choices

© 2021 Health For Mzansi | Farmers For Change Pty (Ltd)

By continuing the use of our Website, you are explicitly and actively consenting to our processing of your personal information as per our Privacy Policy.
Cookie SettingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version
Finding a happy medium: Divorce vs co-parenting Loyiso taps into liquid gold of extra virgin olive oil Youth transform dumping site into thriving food garden Winter: An ideal time to plant root veggies, take stock Early pregnancy care essential for moms-to-be Meet Mzansi’s Keto Queen, Sharney Blackway Heart health: Keep your diet lean, clean and green Yummy Meatless Wellington