NETCARE UMHLANGA HOSPITAL’S NEW CARDIO-ONCOLOGY UNIT AND CENTRE FOR DIABETES, ENDOCRINOLOGY AND HEART CARE, ARE TWO NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SERVICES THAT WILL BE MAKING AN INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE HEALTH AND CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY
Netcare uMhlanga Hospital is proud to introduce two new medical services to their centre to vastly improve their offering to the community: a Cardio-oncology service focusing on the cardiovascular health of cancer patients before, during and after cancer treatment; and a multi- disciplinary Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Heart Care, to help those suffering from diabetes and its associated complications.
Cardio-Oncology Unit
“The development of this important medical service follows international recognition that cancer patients with co-morbidities and/or treatment-related cardiovascular problems can benefit greatly from a cardiovascular and oncology team approach,” says cardiologist, Dr YT Singh, who has been a driving force behind the establishment of the new cardio-oncology unit at the hospital.
“There is a tremendous need for the cardiovascular health of cancer patients to be assessed prior to and during cancer treatment, as well as for longer term monitoring, to appropriately address any cardiovascular risks and minimise the impact on their health in the long term,” says Craig Murphy, regional director coastal: Netcare’s hospital division.
“Until now, a cardiologist has generally not been part of the multi-disciplinary oncology team. This newly-introduced cardio-oncology approach will assist in incorporating cardiac care in the treatment of cancer patients, as well as in preventing cancer patients whose cancer treatment have been successful from possibly having their health impacted by a cardiovascular event later,” adds Murphy.
Dr Singh says in the oncology patient, the focus has traditionally, and quite understandably, been first and foremost on treating the cancer. “With earlier detection and more advanced treatments, oncology medicine is increasingly successful in treating paediatric and adult cancer patients, with cures now commonly being achieved by means of chemotherapy and radiotherapy,” he points out.
“A number of cancer patients, however, may have co-morbidities associated with cardiovascular disease, such as diabetes and hypertension, or cardiovascular co- morbidities such as ischaemic heart disease or heart valve problems that are not managed appropriately during cancer treatment,” he adds.
“As cardiovascular diseases can be exacerbated by certain oncology treatments, this can have important negative consequences for the long-term health of these cancer patients. In addition, cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, Herceptin (trastuzumab), targeted therapy and certain radiation therapies, can result in patients experiencing serious cardiovascular health problems over the longer term.
“In a significant number of patients these therapies can accelerate atherosclerosis, the build-up of fats and cholesterol, or plaque, on the walls of the arteries, and increase their risk of developing cardiac dysfunction, heart rhythm disorders, heart valve disease and other problems related to the heart and blood system (vasculature) over the longer term,” he explains.
According to Dr Singh, the cardiologist team at Netcare uMhlanga Hospital – including Dr Joe McKibbin and Dr Connel Barnabas – has knowledge of the side effects of cancer therapies and works closely with the multi-disciplinary oncology team to assess the patient’s cardiovascular risks prior to treatment. This can assist in guiding the approaches taken to manage an individual’s cancer. The team then proactively works to address any cardiovascular risks before, during and after cancer treatment.
“Often the cardiovascular side effects of oncology treatment only become evident after a number of years, and if these patients had their cardiovascular health closely monitored so that these disorders were timeously detected, managed and treated, lives would undoubtedly be preserved. These are among the critical tasks of the cardio- oncology team.”
Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Heart Care
“Diabetes mellitus is a growing health challenge – but also within KZN where some 33% of all diabetic patients in South Africa are situated – there is a particularly high rate of this potentially life-threatening medical condition,” says endocrinologist Dr Sedeshan Govender, the driving force behind this new centre along with leading cardiologist Dr YT Singh.
Diabetes is in fact a highly complex endocrine condition that, if not managed timeously and appropriately, often results in cardiovascular and other serious health complications. As such, it is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, ischaemic foot problems, non-healing ulcers and gangrene. For these reasons, diabetes is best treated holistically by a multi-disciplinary team, such as is now being offered through this state-of-the-art centre, comprising cardio- metabolic and cardio- oncology units. The centre also incorporates wound care, podiatry, and diabetes education units, and will closely collaborate with the cardiac, vascular, stroke and dialysis units and eye specialists at the hospital.
“Our aim is to bring together all specialists and allied health services to offer optimal co-ordinated care, thereby minimising long-term risk and complications for patients and improving clinical outcomes,” observes Dr Govender, who is a leading member of the diabetes/endocrine centre with endocrinologist, Dr Fraser Pirie and paediatric endocrinologist, Dr Yasmeen Ganie.
“The multi-disciplinary team will be able to meaningfully assist individuals in managing their diabetes and other chronic conditions. In this way the centre will no doubt make an invaluable contribution to the health and care of our communities,” says Murphy.
“Recent years have seen a shift in the approach to patient care. Whereas healthcare was provided in a more fragmented manner in the past, current trends are towards a more collaborative approach to patient care by multi-disciplinary teams, and to customise treatment programmes taking into consideration the unique clinical needs and circumstances of each individual person. We at Netcare are, in line with international trends, fully supportive of care that is person centred,” he adds.
“The development of this Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Heart Care is an important development in the treatment and management of diabetes and its associated complications, as well as other chronic diseases, and an important milestone for private medicine in the province,” concludes Murphy.
FOR MORE INFO
031 566 0013; or email reception@endodiabcentre.co.za