What Cancer Reveals about From Patient to Purpose: Episode 8 with Barrie van den Berg & host Dr Belinda Wagner

What Cancer Reveals about From Patient to Purpose: Episode 8 with Barrie van den Berg & host Dr Belinda Wagner

In this moving episode of What Cancer Reveals About Patient to Purpose, Dr Belinda Wagner speaks with Barrie van den Berg, Director of Living with Cancer South Africa, about a journey that transformed both his life and his purpose. Having spent many years working in the pharmaceutical industry supporting cancer treatment, Barrie understood cancer from a clinical perspective long before receiving his own prostate cancer diagnosis. Becoming a patient changed everything. It taught him that cancer is never just a disease.It is a deeply personal journey that affects families, relationships and entire support networks. Barrie reflects on what it means to move from treating cancer as a medical condition to understanding the human experience behind every diagnosis. He shares how his own experience strengthened his commitment to patient advocacy, why no one should face cancer alone, and how volunteering with Living with Cancer South Africa has become part of his own healing journey. This episode is a powerful reminder that every patient deserves to be seen as a person, that hope grows through community, and that purpose can emerge from even life's most difficult challenges. Whether you are living with cancer, supporting someone you love, or working in healthcare, this conversation offers encouragement, wisdom and a reminder that together we can change the cancer journey. Learn more about Living with Cancer South Africa andjoin our growing community at https://livingwithcancersa.co.za [https://zaf01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Flivingwithcancersa.co.za%2F&data=05%7C02%7Cadmin%40livingwithcancersa.co.za%7C22c5d221456c46b1e9dc08dede86122f%7C7325b236053f4d0a862ce9826eacf5b3%7C0%7C0%7C639192864569699900%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jvqWaSV%2BgL9ghltzsqmllX8iIVAJDDcgU5aRpRb4iIk%3D&reserved=0].

What Cancer Reveals About Watching the Ones You Love Suffer: Episode 7 with Moira Keymer & host Dr Belinda Wagner

Cancer does not only affect the person diagnosed. It ripplesthrough families, friendships and entire support networks, leaving loved onesto navigate fear, uncertainty, helplessness and hope alongside the patient. Inthis deeply moving conversation, Belinda Wagner speaks with Moira about theexperience of watching those she loves face cancer, including her father,grandson, daughter-in-law and brother. Together, they explore the emotional weight of witnessingsuffering, the challenge of wanting to fix what cannot be fixed, and theprofound lesson of learning to simply be present. Through stories of family,faith, resilience and love, this episode reveals how cancer can strengthenrelationships, deepen compassion and remind us that sometimes the greatest giftwe can offer is not to rescue, but to hold space. A powerful conversation about hope, faith, love and the courage towalk beside those we love through life's most difficult journeys.

What Cancer Reveals about Control, Vulnerability and Letting Go: Episode 6 with Natalie Singer & host Dr Belinda Wagner

In Episode 6 of the What Cancer Reveals podcast series, Dr BelindaWagner speaks with Natalie Singer about her deeply personal journey through arare gastric blood cancer diagnosis and the emotional reality of navigatingtreatment while trying to maintain control over work, family and everyday life. Natalie shares how her diagnosis challenged her identity as ahigh-performing, independent and self-sufficient person, forcing her toconfront the difficult lessons of surrender, vulnerability and accepting help.From balancing motherhood and a demanding career during treatment, to theemotional impact of uncertainty, delayed results and scan anxiety, this episodeexplores the hidden mental and emotional weight that often accompanies cancer. Through honest reflection, Natalie speaks about resilience, thepressure many people place on themselves to “keep going”, and the importance ofgiving yourself grace during difficult seasons. This conversation is a powerfulreminder that cancer does not only reveal physical vulnerability, it revealswho we are beneath the strength we show the world.

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: Episode 4 with Kesevan Govender & host 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.