'To me, becoming an Oncologist is a calling, not simply a profession.'
'Khalil Gibran said: out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.'
"His quote rings very true for me as I grew up in a family with a strong history of cancer and I personally witnessed the torment of those close to me. This inspired my passion for the healing power of science and technology which in turn cemented my pathway for becoming a Radiation Oncologist." - Dr S. Naidoo.
Dr Naidoo obtained his MBChB at MEDUNSA in 2007 and then completed his Radiation Oncology fellowship at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2014.
During his time as a registrar, Dr Naidoo won the best Registrar Poster Presentation in the country at the South African Society for Clinical and Radiation Oncology (SASCRO) 2013.
After qualifying as a Radiation Oncologist Dr Naidoo joined the de Mûelenaere Oncology Group in 2015 and is now one of the Directors of the group.
In June of 2016, Dr Naidoo completed his Master of Medicine in Radiation Oncology at the University of Witwatersrand. He was also asked to serve as the Radiation Oncology Advisor to the Ministry of Health South Africa between 2017-2021.
During his time in the Ministry of Health he contributed to the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan for South Africa 2017-2022 and the development of policies for the treatment of Breast and Cervical Cancer.
Dr Naidoo developed and authored radiation treatment guidelines for the Cervical Cancer policy and authored the report "Radiation Oncology Crisis in South Africa" in 2017 for the Ministry of Health which led to the establishment of some Public Private Partnerships.
His other professional duties include:
Dr Naidoo is also a member of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology.
He currently practices at the Sandton Oncology Centre, Ahmed Kathrada Cancer Institute, Life Fourways Hospital, Sunninghill Hospital and Krugersdorp Hospital.
Whilst Dr Naidoo treats various benign and malignant skin, bone, joint and muscle conditions, and diseases, He has a special interest in Breast Cancer, Gynae Oncology, GIT Cancers and Neuro Oncology.
His current passion is research and is currently on the path of attaining his PhD in Oncology.
Being available to the patient is of importance to us. Our Oncologists are available daily to our patients, throughout their treatment programme, and beyond for follow up care and are rostered on call, 24 / 7 - all year.
According to the latest National Cancer Registry (NCR 2012), the number of cases diagnosed in that year was 6807.
The estimated life time risk is 1:19 and makes-up 18,45% of all cancers diagnosed,” said specialist radiation oncologist, Sudeshen Naidoo. The median age of diagnosis is 70 years, but with increased screening, more younger men are being diagnosed. The prostate gland consists of the peripheral zone (70% of glandular prostate and site of nearly all cancers), the central zone (25% of the glandular prostate), the transition zone (surrounding the urethra and the site of benign prostatic hypertrophy), and the anterior fibromuscular stroma. “Approximately 50-80% of tumours involve the prostate apex, and around 85% of patients have multifocal disease in the prostate. More than 95% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas,” said Naidoo. Potential risk factors » Advanced age » Benign prostatic hypertrophy » Diet e.g. high-fat intake » Family history of prostate cancer – frequency of prostate cancer, increases with family history of first degree relatives with prostate cancer. » Hormonal factors e.g serum testosterone and androgens are required for the development of prostate cancer » Race /ethnicity e.g Black.
1 in 29 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in South Africa, says Specialist Radiation Oncologist Dr Sudeshen Naidoo.
At least 6 849 cases of female breast cancer are diagnosed annually, he explains.
But Dr Naidoo advises that men are also at risk of having breast cancer, although the statistics are much lower.
He explores the common risk factors associated with breast cancer such as age and child birth.
Take a listen:
Written by: Qama Qukula
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