Knowledge is power in the fight against Prostate Cancer.
A story of hope, determination and family.
I visited Bongani Archiebald Radebe or Archie, at his home in Ormonde. He lives close enough to the FNB stadium to walk there on match day. He is an Orlando Pirates fan (I chose not to tell him that I am a lifelong Chiefs supporter) and also likes to watch golf and table tennis.
Archie is lean and filled with vitality. He doesn’t look a day older than 65 (he is 76). Archie is also a prostate cancer survivor. I was humbled to have him share his story with me. He is one of the most earnest people I have ever met and told me about his prostate cancer journey with the utmost sincerity.
His journey began with his father Meshack. They were very close and when his father fell ill and was in and out of hospital, Archie was the one who took him to and fro. Meshack eventually succumbed to his ailments. Archie was initially worried because he did not know what had caused his father to pass on. He was informed that it was prostate cancer.
Archie didn’t stop there,
“I then went to research and tried to know about his ailment. I was a computer illiterate person so I went to the library to get books and information”
Through his investigation he discovered that prostate cancer is hereditary. And he realised that he would have to go get tested.
“I delayed but eventually I had to go. I went to Chris Hani Baragwana Hospital, but fortunately for me the cancer was diagnosed in the early stages.”
Early diagnosis is paramount in the fight against prostate cancer. In the US, for example, the five-year post-diagnosis survival rate for localised prostate cancer approaches 100%. Unfortunately, once the cancer has metastasised to distant parts of the body at the time of diagnosis, the five-year post-diagnosis survival rate drops to 29%.
Following his diagnosis Archie was transferred to Helen Joseph for a biopsy. He was then referred to Charlotte Maxeke General Hospital where he underwent radiation treatment for 6-8 weeks. After radiation he got a zoladex injection which is used to kill the remaining cancer cells. In more advanced cases treatment also involves chemotherapy and/or surgery.
The treatment was successful, but Archie was still in what is known as a watchful waiting period. He was diagnosed in 2007, but returned to the hospital every 3-6 months up until just last year to have a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test to check if the cancer had returned.
The PSA test is the initial test that one undergoes for prostate cancer and a digital rectal examination (DRE) is also recommended. The South African Prostate Cancer Guidelines recommend that: Black South African men and men with a positive family history of breast or prostate cancer consider screening from the age of 40. Men from all other ethnic groups should consider screening from the age of 45.
Remission was not the end of Archie’s journey. He became a proactive member of the awareness community. He is committed to teaching men and women about prostate cancer. 8 years ago he received training from CANSA and participated in awareness programs, speaking for CAN SURVIVE and is due to start a series of awareness talks with ANOVA. He has presented at clinics, societies, social clubs, jazz clubs, garden tea parties and taverns anywhere he was needed and could reach people.
He says it’s not always easy, men are stubborn,
“People will be telling me stupid things like I don’t have this sickness, and I always tell them you are a male, each and every male has a prostate gland.”
In the early stages of prostate cancer, there may be no presentation of any symptoms at all, which is why screening is so vital.
When I ask him what motivates him to continue to spread awareness, he emphasizes the hereditary aspect of his cause,
”I am doing this for my father, I am doing this for my son and through god’s grace this won’t happen to my grandsons and my great-grandson.”
I am blown away by his strength which is beyond mere stoicism. He maintains he wasn’t as scared because he knew what was facing him having gone through it with his father. His son Arthur, has also been diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 56 and is currently receiving treatment. His wife Leeza is also a cancer survivor. She survived breast cancer. Archie also drew on the strength of his relationship with her and their faith. They have been married for 43 years as of February 28th, he says of being married
“the tooth and the tongue sometimes bite each other, with tolerance and love we make it”
When it is time for me to leave Leeza won’t let me go without giving me something for the road, shoving a parcel of amagwinya in to my hands. I left their home with such an overwhelming sense of hope, that there is always strength in all of us to take on adversity.
Join Archie and I in our purple speedo’s at the 10th Hollard Daredevil Run. The 2020 edition will be taking place on Friday the 13 March at Zoo Lake Sports Club, c/o Lower Park / Prince of Wales / Westwold, Parkwood.
It is as simple as:
- A minimum donation of R100 (R50 for under 18’s) is required
- R50 for a Daredevil Speedo if you’re a first timer or need a new one (Get yourself a special 10th anniversary edition with gold text!),
- R10 for admin fees.
SEE YOU THERE!
