In combination with HIV, many of our patients develop cancer. Cancer of the oesophagus, Kaposi’s Sarcoma and cervical cancer are three of the most common cancers that we treat. Patients often suffer from additional complications including shingles and tuberculosis.
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- When patients become too ill, we use our 4WD vehicles to visit them at home and ensure their proper palliative care.
Cancer of the Oesophagus
Cancer of the oesophagus is one of the most common cancers we see in our patients. It is not an HIV-associated cancer. In the absence of available radiotherapy and surgical treatments in Malawi, Ndi Moyo prescribes steroids to reduce tumour inflammation in the throat, vincristine chemotherapy, and anti-fungal medication to treat associated infections.
Read Lemson’s story
Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Kaposi’s Sarcoma is an AIDS-defining cancer that causes lesions on the skin, mucous membranes and organs. Where the cancer causes damage to lymph vessels, patients also suffer a build up of fluid in their arms or legs called lymphodoema.
Many of Ndi Moyo’s patients present with Kaposi’s Sarcoma. With the use of antiretroviral therapy to restore levels of immunity, some KS patients can see sufficient improvements in their condition to live normal lives.
Kaposi’s skin lesions have an unpleasant smell which means that patients often isolate themselves, and feel stigmatised by their disease. Ndi Moyo treats patients with ARVs, vincristine chemotherapy and powdered Metronidazole to neutralise the smell.
Read Manuel’s story
Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer seen in Ndi Moyo patients. Ndi Moyo prescribes tranexamic acid to women to ease bleeding, and vincristine chemotherapy. We supplement our prescription medicines with accessible effective treatments from our medicinal garden.
Read Leah’s story
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