What Cancer Reveals about Navigation: Episode 5: with Anton Els & host Dr Belinda Wagner

What Cancer Reveals about Navigation: Episode 5: with Anton Els & host Dr Belinda Wagner

In this powerful episode of What Cancer Reveals, Anton shares his journey following his diagnosis with Multiple Myeloma in 2021 and Stage 1 kidney cancer in 2022. He speaks openly about the physical impact of cancer, the dramatic weight loss he experienced, the importance of support, and the reality of navigating a healthcare system that does not always fully capture patient experiences. This episode explores the gaps in cancer data, the patients who become invisible within the system, and why accurate patient stories matter for care, policy, funding and advocacy. A conversation about survival, resilience, gratitude and the importance of ensuring every cancer story counts.

What Cancer Reveals About Hope, Healing and Survival with Kesevan Govender & hosted by Dr Belinda Wagner

In this episode of What Cancer Reveals, Kesavan Govender shares his inspiring journey through testicular cancer and the lessons it taught him about resilience, hope and the power of survival. First diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2010, Kesavan faced a challenging road that included surgery, treatment and ongoing medical surveillance. While follow-up scans initially showed no evidence of disease, a CT scan in 2013 detected a metastatic germ cell tumour, leading to further treatment and another chapter in his cancer journey. Throughout these experiences, Kesavan placed his trust in his medical team, leaned on the support of family and faith, and remained committed to his recovery. More than a decade later and now in remission, he reflects on how cancer changed his perspective on life and revealed strengths he never knew he possessed. Kesavan speaks openly about the importance of recognising early warning signs, seeking medical attention promptly and attending regular health screenings. His story highlights how early detection, informed decision-making and access to appropriate care can significantly influence outcomes. At a time when many cancer conversations are understandably filled with fear and uncertainty, Kesavan offers a message of hope. He reminds us that while cancer can change the course of our lives, it does not have to define our future. His experience demonstrates that survival is possible, support matters and that there is life beyond a cancer diagnosis. This episode also shines a light on an important issue, particularly for men, who often delay medical check-ups or avoid difficult conversations about their health. Kesavan's journey reinforces the importance of being proactive, listening to your body and seeking help when something does not feel right. Through honest reflection and lived experience, What Cancer Reveals About Hope, Healing and Survival is a powerful reminder that cancer can reveal courage, perspective, gratitude and an unwavering appreciation for life.

What Cancer Reveals - Episode 3 - The Decisions No One Prepares You For with Dr Trudy Smith & Dr Belinda Wagner

In this episode of What Cancer Reveals, Dr Belinda Wagner speaks with her oncologist, Dr Trudy Smith, the specialist who finally provided answers after months of uncertainty. Dr Smith is an Obstetrician, Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist, trained at the University of the Witwatersrand with further experience in gynaecological oncology in London. She now practises at Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre and is actively involved in training future specialists, while advocating for the prevention of cervical cancer. Together, they unpack the importance of second opinions, understanding cancer spread, and the difficult decisions patients are forced to make. The conversation also explores the emotional impact on doctors, the intensity of surgery, emerging treatments like cyber radiation, and why cancer is not a death sentence.

Episode 30: Moira Keymer-Faith, Awareness and the Power of Early Action

In this episode, Dr Belinda Wagner sits down with Moira Keymer, whose cancer journey began 23 years ago with a breast cancer diagnosis that would not only challenge her physically, but reshape her understanding of health, faith and personal responsibility. Moira speaks about her experience through a deeply personal lens, describing her diagnosis as a calling from God, a test of faith that required her to confront fear, uncertainty and the unknown. Rather than allowing the experience to define her negatively, she chose to engage with it with intention and belief.What makes her story particularly powerful is what unfolded alongside her cancer diagnosis. Through the process, she uncovered an underlying autoimmune condition, something that may have remained undetected without that moment of intervention. For Moira, this became part of a broader realisation that sometimes the most difficult experiences can reveal what needs attention in our lives.A central theme in this conversation is the importance of early detection and timely diagnosis. Moira speaks candidly about how critical it is to act early, to pay attention to your body, and not to delay seeking medical advice. Her message is clear, awareness is not optional, it is essential.She also highlights the importance of trusting healthcare providers while remaining actively engaged in your own care. This is not about passive acceptance, but about informed partnership. Moira encourages patients and families to ask questions, seek clarity, and take the time to understand their condition.Research and communication are recurring threads throughout the discussion. She emphasises that no one should feel intimidated to speak up, whether it is asking for a second opinion, discussing treatment options, or simply reaching out for support. Silence, she suggests, can often be more harmful than the diagnosis itself.This episode is not only about surviving cancer. It is about perspective, faith, and the responsibility we carry in our own health journeys. Moira’s story is a reminder that knowledge, communication and early action can fundamentally change outcomes, and that even in life’s most difficult moments, there is an opportunity for deeper understanding and growth.

Episode 29: Richard Keymer - Standing Guard Through the Cancer Journey

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Keymer, who serves as the Security Lead for Living with Cancer SA, not just as a volunteer, but as someone deeply connected to the reality of cancer. Richard’s story is not theoretical. It is lived. He shares his personal journey of supporting multiple family members through cancer, including both his parents, his nephew, and his sister-in-law. Through these experiences, he has witnessed the complexity, the uncertainty, and the emotional weight that cancer brings into a family. What stands out in this conversation is not only the scale of what he has faced, but how he has chosen to respond. Richard speaks openly about why he continues to show up and contribute to Living with Cancer SA. His perspective is grounded in responsibility, empathy, and a clear understanding that support systems matter, not just for patients, but for families navigating the journey alongside them. From his role in security and governance within the organisation, to his personal reflections on resilience and presence, this episode offers a different lens on cancer. One that highlights the unseen roles, the quiet strength, and the people who stand behind the scenes ensuring others are protected, supported, and not alone. This is a conversation about service, perspective, and the kind of leadership that is shaped not in boardrooms, but in real life moments that demand courage and consistency.