Fostering Cooperation in the Fight Against Cancer

Dr Busisiwe Pauline Nkosi (57), dynamic Senior Lecturer and Head of the Radiotherapy Department at DUT, performed ground-breaking research on fostering cooperation between traditional healers and radiation oncologists in cancer treatment in KZN for her PhD, and lives to educate rural communities on cancer prevention.

“I am ambitious and dedicated to building my career by doing something I like, which is finding solutions to problems through research and distributing the knowledge to the world through publications and presenting at national and international conferences.”

She has two masters: an MBL from the UNISA School of Business Leadership and an MTech: Radiography (Therapy) from the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Her other qualifications include a BTech: Radiography (Therapy) and a National Higher Diploma: Radiography (Therapy) from DUT and a National Diploma: Radiography (Diagnostic) from UJ.

She also earned certificates in Strategic Implementation of ICT in Integrated Education from Wits University, Strengthening Postgrad Supervision from Rhodes University, Hospital Management from Wits University, and the South African Institute of Management (SAIM) Programme in Business Management from UNISA.

Nkosi worked for 28 years in the Gauteng Department of Health: as Chief Radiographer in Radiotherapy, Head of Department in Radiography and Assistant Director.

Finish what you have started, even if you feel it is not worth it, because who knows? You may need it tomorrow.

Dr busisiwe Nkosi DUT BTech Radiography (Therapy) and National Higher Diploma: Radiography (Therapy) graduate

Working diligently, persistently and in a focused manner yields better rewards for your career.

Having transitioned to academia in 2013, she finally graduated with a PhD in Health Sciences from DUT in 2017, which she cites as her greatest career success.

“I obtained it in two-and-a-half years despite having three mild strokes and seven modules to teach with no experience,” said Nkosi. Her research focus aimed to find a solution for patients who were defaulting on cancer treatment as a result of consulting with medical doctors and traditional healers simultaneously.

“These years were challenging because as a married woman with three children to raise and a permanent job, it was cumbersome to devote time to all my responsibilities,” remembered Nkosi. “At one stage, I had to cancel my studies to raise one of my children.”

She has been a senior lecturer at DUT, an internal examiner for master’s dissertations, a reviewer of proposals and a supervisor for six undergraduate, four master’s and six doctoral students. “I like the friendly environment where the relationships among staff members and with students makes me look forward to the next day.”

She has now been appointed Head of Department in Radiography and assumed the position from 1 July this year.

In 2018, Nkosi published four papers – all in international journals – and in 2019 she published two in international journals and five are currently under review. She currently holds a postdoctoral fellowship grant, which expires in 2022.

These incredible achievements have sprung from an only child of a single, struggling domestic worker. Nkosi was raised by her uncle and aunt as their own until the age of 13 in Standerton with her four cousins. “At the age of 14, through a distant relative, I came to know that my mother, whom I called ‘aunt’, was my biological mother. She had been working in Johannesburg and only visited us every year in December.”

Unfortunately, Nkosi was unable to stay with her mom but was awarded a bursary to study Grade 11 and 12 at a boarding school in Pretoria. “My mother never encouraged me to study but I saw her sometimes borrowing money from people to pay for my schooling. Seeing her struggle motivated me to study so I could build a home for us and a better life for her.”

After completing matric, Nkosi was accepted to study a BCom Accounting degree but could not obtain a bursary. In the same year, she worked as a filing clerk to save money for university. After four months, she left her job to study part-time for a National Diploma in Diagnostic Radiography while working as a therapy radiographer. “This was the best decision I ever made because it meant working towards a qualification while earning a salary.

One year later at the age of 22, I was able to buy a house for my mother as well as my first home.”

Her workdays are varied, consisting of lecturing in Radiotherapy, setting up exams, marking examination scripts, doing administrative work, supervising postgraduate students, moderating scripts within the department, assessing students at hospitals, writing research articles for journals and presenting at conferences. In her leisure time, Nkosi, who is currently single, a mom to Sifiso (36), Mbulelo (26) and Yoliswa (20) and grandmother of three, exercises regularly and is involved in community engagement where she and a group of Radiography students teach the KwaMkhizwana community about the warning signs of cancer. She intends passing this knowledge on to traditional health practitioners as they interact with a larger community. She also financially supports students anonymously.

YOU AND THE BIG ‘C’

What can you do to recognise the warning signs of cancer?

To recognise the warning signs of cancer, people should be on the lookout for the following acronym ‘CAUTION’, namely: Change in bowel or bladder habits A sore that does not heal Unusual bleeding or discharge Thickening or lump in the breast or elsewhere Indigestion or difficulty in swallowing Obvious change in a wart or mole Nagging cough or hoarseness

How do you prevent cancer?

• Do not smoke • Protect your skin from the sun • Eat a healthy diet • Maintain a healthy weight and be physically active • Practice safer sex and avoid risky behaviour • Get immunised (e.g. get HPV and hepatitis vaccines) • Know your family medical history and get regular cancer screening

What do you do if you are diagnosed with cancer?

Discuss the various treatment options such as radiation treatment, surgery, chemotherapy and traditional medicine with your doctor, thereafter start treatment as soon as possible.

How can traditional healers and medical practitioners work together to fight cancer?

By allowing patients to make decisions regarding which doctor or health practitioner should treat them. When patients seek treatment with the other doctor or practitioner, they should be referred and guided in their referral.