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Not to shake the tree and instil fear, but rather drive potentiality life-saving knowledge—The Newcastillian – Online News speaks with popular Family Practitioner Dr Francois van Niekerk and beloved General Surgeon Dr Christien Steenkamp.
The bottom line is, Newcastle’s women’s lives are under threat, but according to our medical professionals, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Starting, Dr van Niekerk affirms that cancer is one of the most severe health threats local women face. “The most common Cancer in women of childbearing age is cervical cancer. It is a devastating disease that can be fatal or leave woman unable to have children due to the treatment involved.”
Thanks to the extraordinary advances in medical sciences, many of these fatal cancers are avoidable. “Fortunately, it is preventable if you have regular annual check-ups, like a cervical screening test (previously known as a PAP smear). Nowadays we use a little brush to collect cells from the cervix and send it away for analysis. If they pick up any changes in these cells, treatment can be given before it develops into cancer.”
With an active polygamous sexual life, STD’s such as HPV are not uncommon. According to the doctor, 98% of cervical cancers are caused by certain strains of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). “This is a very common viral infection, and a lot of women will not even know that they have contracted the virus, as it doesn’t always present with any symptoms. We do pick it up on cervical smears.”
Thanks to the advances in medicine, vaccines, South Africa began vaccinating pre-adolescent girls against this virus in 2014. “It consists of 2 shots given 6 months apart, and it protects you against the nasty strains of the HPV virus, thus effectively protecting you against cervical cancer. It is important to get the vaccine before young women start to get involved in a sexual relationship.”
Additionally, Dr van Niekerk notes that obesity in the over 40’s category is a devasting pandemic, even when compared to COVID-19.
With these powerful words in mind, he states, “Over 60% of women in South Africa are classified as obese. Obesity increases your risk to develop Type 2 diabetes significantly, and it is reckoned that the long-term prognosis is worse for diabetic patients than for people living with HIV. We also know that obesity is a co-risk factor for high blood pressure, one of the leading causes of strokes in woman. Furthermore, obesity plays a significant role in developing certain types of cancer, like ovarian cancer.”
However, as the Newcastle-based doctor points out, assistance is available. One does not need to travel the road to recovery alone. “This includes dietary help, help with the correct type of exercises to lose weight, and recently also new types of medicines that we use in conjunction with previous medicines to help lose weight. If all fails, surgery known as bariatric surgery, is a very successful way to tackle this huge problem (excuse the pun).”
Due to us living in 2021, unlike our forefathers, we get to enjoy this kaleidoscope of options. As a result, you have the choice to save your life and enjoy a normal life. But as the doctor says, “Do not miss out on regular check-ups, get your daughters vaccinated against the HPV virus, live healthy, eat healthy and exercise regularly.”
Complimenting Dr van Niekerk’s insights, Dr Christien Steenkamp declares, “We all want to look at coronavirus as the main threat to our health and wellbeing, but in the meantime, we are destroying ourselves by what we eat and the way we live.”
A national and global threat to our species, obesity, according to Dr Steenkamp, is one of the top health threats in Newcastle. What is scary are the numerous obesity-related illnesses such as cancers, hypertension, diabetes, and gallbladder disease.
Just an FYI. This means that as you gain weight, you are potentially inducing comorbidities. Therefore, getting your weight/diet/fitness in check should be a priority. Dr Steenkamp emphasises, the younger you are, the greater the benefit the health change will be.
“We need to start developing a culture of healthy living and it needs to be popular to exercise and live and eat well. I’m not talking about Naomi Campbell or Kate Moss skinny, I’m talking about being healthy. Strong and well-nourished but not fat. We can never become complacent about obesity because it kills. It is slow, but eventually it will get you,” affirms the doctor.
Providing guidance and hope, Dr Steenkamp assures, “We are establishing a support group for weight loss and lifestyle intervention, including a safe personal training environment where you won’t be judged for what you look like. As a last resort and in addition to this, we can also place gastric balloons or consider bariatric surgery.”
The doctor says that the medical community wants Newcastle women to live long and enjoy prosperous lives. “They must be happy in their town and in their homes, but most importantly in their own bodies.”
With the two renowned doctors sharing their insights into the biggest health risks affecting Newcastle women, what are your thoughts?
Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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