This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Dr. Elizabeth Hugo who is a Gynaecologist and Gynaecological Oncologist working in the private sector at Vergelegen Mediclinic in Somerset West.

October is breast cancer awareness month and breast cancer is one of the five most invasive cancers affecting women in Africa, the others being melanoma, colorectal, cervix and uterus cancers. The latter two cancers affect women’s reproductive organs, which fall into Dr. Hugo’s area of specialisation.

Cervical cancer is preventable and curable. The World Health Organisation has initiated a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer through human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccination of girls by age 15, screening and treatment. For example, Australia has seen success with its HPV vaccination drives among girls and boys to eliminate cervical cancer in the population. Endometrial and ovarian cancers can be hard to detect early, but we discuss some of the early warning symptoms. Additionally, if you have a family history of cancers, you carry a genetic risk, for example the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes (aka the Angelina Jolie gene) raises the risk of breast and ovarian cancer. However, through genetic testing you can assess your risk factors. Cancer is not just a physical disease, it impacts people psychologically and emotionally too, and Dr Hugo emphasises that is important to understand these elements and treat patients holistically. Encouragingly, the chances of curing cancer are increasing with advances in new treatments.

Working in this specialisation is demanding but also rewarding. Dr Hugo shares some of the factors have contributed to her success, such as a strong support network, being determined, wanting to help others, enjoying challenges and putting family before work. She motivates us to dream big and not allow ourselves or others to limit our thinking about what is possible.

Tune in for more…