TOTT 25 March 2021

TALK OF THE TOWN 25 March 2021 Advertising & Newsdesk: (046) 624-4356 Find us on Facebook 7
Screen against
cancer of colon
Highly prevalent disease often asymptomatic
DR ILANA JOUBERT
With colorectal cancer
being the fourth most
common cancer in
SA, and that one in four patients
will have synchronous
metastatic disease at the time of
their primary diagnosis, it is
important to focus on screening
thereof.
Colorectal cancer can be
totally asymptomatic, which
implies that by the time it is
diagnosed for the first time, 25%
of patients will already have
metastatic disease.
The most successful
treatment modality to achieve
cure or prolong survival is
surgery of primary tumor and
metastases. Chemotherapy,
however, is also used in most
stages of the disease.
As stated, 25% of patients
with colorectal cancer will have
absolutely no symptoms (hence
it is important to screen as per
protocol).
Of those who will present
with symptoms, the most
prominent symptoms would be
persistent change in bowel
habits, alternating between
diarrhoea or constipation, blood
in your stool, persistent
abdominal discomfort such as
cramps, gas or pain, a feeling of
incomplete defecation,
weakness and fatigue and/or
unexplained weight loss.
The gold standard of
screening is a colonoscopy
done by a general surgeon or a
gastroenterologist.
Current guidelines suggest
one screening colonoscopy
from the age of 50 in patients
with no family history of
colorectal cancer.
Thereafter five yearly, or as
indicted by a surgeon
depending on the results found.
In patients with a positive
first degree relative with
colorectal cancer, screening is
recommended from the actual
age that the diagnosis was made
in the relative.
A Faecal Occult Blood test
can also be asked for by your
local GP, which aims to detect
microscopic blood in stool that
cannot be seen with the naked
eye and may be an indication of
colorectal pathology.
Colonoscopy, however, remains
the gold standard for screening
and diagnosis and a negative
feacal occult blood test does not
exclude colorectal cancer.
A positive test, however,
necessitates an urgent
c o l o n o s c o py.
Modifiable risk factors that
may increase your risk for
colorectal cancer (risk factors
that you can change): smoking,
excessive alcohol consumption,
high intake of red meat and
processed foods, low intake of
fruit and vegetables, obesity and
physical inactivity.
Non-modifiable risk factors
that may put you at a higher risk
of colorectal cancer (risk factors
that you cannot control): 50
years and above, male gender,
ethnicity, family history of
inflammatory bowel disease,
colorectal polyps or colorectal
cancer, type 2 diabetes.
As with many other diseases,
make sure you have a healthy
lifestyle, and be vigilant in
knowing your body and the
symptoms it may or may not
show you. Go for your regular
ch e ck u p s .
FACE 2 FACE with /
Bubele Bouga Vulani librarian assistant, office of the chief justice
QTell us about your
occupation.
AI am a librarian assistant
employed by the office of
the chief justice.
On a part-time basis I am an
underqualified personal fitness
i n s t r u c t o r.
What is the most satisfying
aspect of the work you do?
To see someone being satisfied
by the service I rendered.
To me, it’s not about how
many people I help but about
those who come back and are
happy about my service.
What is the one tourist aspect
you would recommend to a
visitor to the Sunshine Coast?
I would recommend Bathurst
because it has the Big Pineapple
and a restaurant and cultural
a c t iv i t i e s .
There is also a spot which is
sort of a hiking trail, where you
see the [start] of the Kowie River.
I’d recommend it to any visitor.
If you have a bucket list, what is
the top item?
If freedom was an item I would
buy it, freedom financially and
doing what I want to whenever I
want to, freedom to spend time
with family and my loved ones.
What is your motto in life?
I often say to people there is no
progress and improvement in
your comfort zone. If you are
comfortable you will not grow.
What keeps you motivated?
Every time I wake in the
morning and look at myself in
the mirror and check where I
come from, and where I am
now, and where I want to be in
the future, is what motivates me.
A lot has changed in my life,
things like lifestyle, yet I am not
satisfied about where I am now.
With the high unemployment
rate in our country, what do
you think could be done to
address the situation?
As a young parent, I would
encourage all other parents that
we motivate our children to go
to school, not only to be
employed, but so they are able
to start their own businesses and
do not rely on government.
Do you think enough is being
done to reduce our carbon
footprint on the planet? If not,
what do you think could be
done to change it?
This is a tricky one because
factories produce carbon but
also produce employment, so if
we close those factories it
means jobs will be lost.
If we can plant more trees
and keep our environment
clean and do not litter, use our
dustbin to throw away rubbish,
that might have a positive effect
in reducing carbon.
What is your favourite music of
all time?
I love all genres of music,
depending on my mood.
If it connects to my soul I
enjoy it. In most cases, I love the
golden oldies and deep house.
When I feel emotional, I
listen to gospel and jazz.
What is the one item that is
always in your fridge?
Fruit, depending on the season.
If it’s summer you will find
apples, grapes and peaches. In
winter, oranges. Fruit is one
thing I don’t run out of.
If you could be president of SA
for one day, what would be the
top three things you would do
for your day in office?
1. I’d recognise everyone in the
office for the great work they do,
so they feel appreciated; 2. I’d
make everyone feel like they are
in charge, so they don’t feel like
they are taking orders on a daily
basis; 3. I’d give everyone a
responsibility to be in charge of
a certain task so everyone can
know the feeling of being in
charge and giving and receiving
instructions.