Mar/Apr 2018 – The autumn years

As the weather starts to change; as it gets darker earlier and leaves fall from the trees, we’re reminded that seasons and times change. We can’t control either; it is how we embrace the change. The saying, If a year was tucked inside a clock then autumn would be the magic hour, deems fit.

I remember setting up the Bara clinic in a small outpatient department with two patients pushing the boundaries till the clinic was massive, and arguing with the Head of Department about the need for specialist breast care. He did not listen. And now look, we have excellent specialist breast care in three JHB hospitals, with Bara being the golden oldie (that looks all healthy and botoxed).

Our Super Survivors are inspiring, dignified and feisty like the screen goddesses from a bygone era. And Beulah (my friend) reading and knowing your story and being privileged to work alongside you…to you the Oscar for a lifetime of dedication to the cause of inspiring those that have been touched by breast cancer.

The golden oldie I chose to write about is Alice in Wonderland. Watch the movie, reread the book and see the how our ‘Alices’, those just diagnosed, traverse their wonderlands.

Part of the being a golden oldie is managing menopause, using all the tips myself and eating correctly (this would be  for me…the scrawny granny).

So, remember the old ones are still the best: old jeans; old boots; old friends; old tunes; old movies and old times.

Keep warmth in your heart and out!

Your Buddie for Life  

Prof Carol-Ann Benn


Photos by Chantal Drummond Photography  |  [email protected]  |  www.chantaldphoto.co.za

Make-up by Nikki’s Beautique  | [email protected]  |  www.nikkisbeautique.co.za


Over three decades of survivorship

The Golden Girls

Alice in Wonderland – Down the rabbit hole

Proud of my battle scar – Des Callaghan

Breast pain – should you be worried about it?

A second opinion – you have the right to one

Keep on the move – exercise

Beauteous bras

Age is just a number if you eat a varied healthy diet

The Chris Hani Batho Pele Breast Unit

The effects of chemo on hearing

Menopause: questions and answers

The A to Z of endocrine therapy

The Breast Health Foundation

Word For Word Media, the publishers of Buddies For Life and Oncology Buddies, present THE BIG C SURVIVOR’S GUIDE.

Your annual comprehensive directory of all the information that you, the patient and/or family, seek out. It is the first of its kind in South Africa.

Click on the cover to view the latest issue of Oncology Buddies and the brand new Big C Survivor’s Guide 2018.