Living with Cancer

Belinda Wagner

Living with Cancer podcasts feature interview with cancer warriors, experts within the cancer community. These podcasts provide insight into the world of cancer, offering support, guidance and information to anyone with the desire to learn and connect.

  1. 6d ago

    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.

  2. Jun 5

    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.

  3. Apr 27

    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.

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Living with Cancer podcasts feature interview with cancer warriors, experts within the cancer community. These podcasts provide insight into the world of cancer, offering support, guidance and information to anyone with the desire to learn and connect.