dr-brewis

Breast Health

Wed, 11 Apr 2018 11:26:00 GMT

One out of 29 women in South Africa is diagnosed with breast cancer. In order to increase the chances of finding the disease early, it is recommended that a symptom-free woman has a mammogram done every year from the age of 40. However, if any of your immediate family members have breast cancer then you will have an increased risk of having it. During your consultation, an in-depth medical history will be taken, after which we will determine and help manage your risk factors.

Read more on breast health by clicking on the following links:
- Breast Health Foundation
- Cansa

Skin Health

Thu, 01 Feb 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, and weighs almost 4kg in a 70kg adult. It has numerous vital functions and should be cared for in order for it to stay in good shape and to be as healthy as possible.

Collagen supplementation may improve skin health but it cannot repair UV irradiation damage or the effects of smoking. We, therefore, encourage patients to live a healthy lifestyle. Combining this with modern skin care products will go a long way to making you the rejuvenated icon others aspire to be.

Collagen

Smoking

Wed, 10 Jan 2018 00:00:00 GMT

Unfortunately, there is nothing good to be said about cigarettes. Nicotine convinces your brain that you need to smoke, despite the fact that it triples your risk of heart disease and doubles your risk of having a stroke. Smoking also causes vasoconstriction of the blood vessels all over the body, meaning less blood reaches the skin. Blood supplies oxygen to the skin; and energy and amino acids to the cells that work continuously to maintain the skin’s integrity. One can, therefore, not be surprised to learn that smoking ages your skin due to the breakdown of collagen, thereby promoting wrinkles and skin cancer!

Because smoking has a negative effect on wound healing, increases the risk of blood clots forming and causes life-threatening diseases, some plastic surgery procedures are contraindicated if you are a smoker.

Heart Foundation
Cancer.net