Dr Keo Tabane
https://sundayworld.co.za/heroic_woman_categories/women-in-healthcare/
Nominee's Province:
Gauteng
Project Name/Description:
Sandton Oncology: Director, Specialist Physician, Medical Oncologist
Dr Keo Tabane holds the distinction of being the first black medical oncologist in South Africa specialising in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy. She graduated as an oncologist from Wits University in 2008. Tabane, 44, believes her patients deserve compassionate communication to allow them to make informed decisions about their care journey as they battle against cancer. “Clear communication helps to ease an already difficult situation and makes it more bearable,” says Tabane. Tabane explains that the journey doesn’t have to be lonely as it “can take a lot out of you”, advising that leaning on one’s support system and allowing people to care for one can make a difference. “Treatment needs to be holistic. It’s not just about treating the cancer, but treating all that makes up the person.” Tabane, who practises as a specialist physician at the Sandton Oncology Centre in Morningside, Johannesburg, has a special interest in genomic profiling in breast cancer, and in cancers associated with HIV. She sits on the executive committee of the South African Society of Medical Oncologists and is a former committee member of the Breast Interest Group of South Africa. Together with Dr Fikile Tsela, a nephrologist at Mediclinic Heart Hospital, Tabane founded the HappiMe Foundation, which provides high-quality sanitary towels to girls in disadvantaged communities, so that they do not miss school during that time of the month and that they develop confidence.
