Oncology

What is multiple myeloma?

Multiple myeloma is a haematological cancer that affects plasma cells which are found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells are part of your body's immune system responsible for the manufacture of antibodies to help fight off infections.

What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?

Symptoms may be absent during the early stages of multiple myeloma but as the cancer progresses the following symptoms may become apparent:

• Loss of appetite
• Bone pain and weakness
• Confusion
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• More thirst
• Infections
• Bruising or purple-colored rash
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and fatigue
• Weight loss

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer is a malignancy that develops from breast tissue. The first sign of breast cancer is most commonly a breast lump or an abnormal mammogram.

What are the symptoms of breast cancer?

In its early stages, breast cancer usually has no symptoms. As a tumor develops, the following signs may become apparent:

• A lump in the breast or underarm that persists after your menstrual cycle. This is often the first apparent symptom of breast cancer. Lumps associated with breast cancer are usually painless, although some may cause a prickly sensation. Lumps are usually visible on a mammogram long before they can be seen or felt.
• Swelling in the armpit.
• Pain or tenderness in the breast. Although lumps are usually painless, pain or tenderness can be a sign of breast cancer.
• A noticeable flattening or indentation on the breast, which may indicate a tumor that cannot be seen or felt.
• Any change in the size, contour, texture, or temperature of the breast. A reddish, pitted surface like the skin of an orange could be a sign of advanced breast cancer.
• A change in the nipple, such as a nipple retraction, dimpling, itching, a burning sensation, or ulceration. A scaly rash of the nipple is symptomatic of Paget's disease, which may be associated with an underlying breast cancer.
• Unusual discharge from the nipple that may be clear, bloody, or another color. It's usually caused by benign conditions but could be due to cancer in some cases.
• A marble-like area under the skin.
• An area that is distinctly different from any other area on either breast.

What is ovarian cancer?

Ovarian cancer develops when abnormal cells grow in one or both of the ovaries.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cancer?

Symptoms of ovarian cancer may include:

• Recent, frequent bloating.
• Pain in the belly or pelvis.
• Trouble eating, or feeling full quickly.
• Urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate or urinating more often than usual.

It is important to note that the latter symptoms may be common in women who do not have ovarian cancer.

What is soft tissue sarcoma?

Adult soft tissue sarcoma is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the soft tissues of the body.

The soft tissues of the body include the muscles, tendons (bands of fiber that connect muscles to bones), fat, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, and tissues around joints. Adult soft tissue sarcomas can form almost anywhere in the body, but are most common in the head, neck, arms, legs, trunk, and abdomen.

There are many types of soft tissue sarcoma.

What is chemotherapy-related anaemia?

If the number of red blood cells is low, tissues in the body do not get enough oxygen to function properly. This is known as anemia. Chemotherapy can lower the number of red blood cells, causing anemia, which in turn can cause symptoms such as s fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Campaigning for Cancer

Campaigning for Cancer is a patient advocacy organisation formed in 2008 to give a voice to South African cancer patients and those affected by cancer.  The pioneer of South African cancer patient advocacy, Campaigning for Cancer continues to advocate for the promotion and protection of the rights of patients and those affected by cancer with regard to policy, healthcare costs and healthcare delivery.  Campaigning for Cancer does this on an individual patient level – changing one life at a time – by providing people with the knowledge and tools to see their treatment process through; as well as on a larger scale, by noting issues highlighted by these individual cases and advocating for policy change that will affect all of society.  

City of Organisation: Johannesburg, South Africa

Web address of organisation:  campaign4cancer.co.za

Project description:  Multiple Myeloma Patient Advisory Board to gain patient insights into their understanding of multiple myeloma.

Contract signed:  23 March 2021

Fee for service:  R20 500.00

Project description:  Support for the creation of blood cancer information on the C4C portal pages.  

The objective of this program is to aid South African cancer patients in accessing credible and reliable information about their disease and their cancer journey. The platform will inform and aid patients and those affect by blood cancer in managing their rights and responsibilities by providing tools & point of referral across the cancer landscape to aid them at the point of symptoms, diagnosis and during treatment, palliation and survivorship.

Contract signed:  19 November 2020

Contribution made by Janssen:  R100 000.00

Project description:  Patient Advocacy Group Capability Building Project

Contract signed:  19 November 2020

Contribution made by Janssen:  R340 000.00

Project description:  CLL Awareness Campaign to facilitate the furthering of CLL awareness in South Africa

Contract signed:  19 November 2020

Contribution made by Janssen:  R133 000.00

Project description:  Multiple Myeloma Awareness Campaign to facilitate the furthering of Multiple Myeloma awareness in South Africa

Contract signed:  17 March 2020

Contribution made by Janssen:  R149 000.00