Browsing by Author "Wright, Caradee Y."

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    The incidence of skin cancer in relation to climate change in South Africa
    (MDPI, 2019-10-22) Wright, Caradee Y.; Norval, Mary; Kapwata, Thandi; Du Preez, David Jean; Wernecke, Bianca; Tod, Bianca; Visser, Willem I.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Climate change is associated with shifts in global weather patterns, especially an increase in ambient temperature, and is deemed a formidable threat to human health. Skin cancer, a non-communicable disease, has been underexplored in relation to a changing climate. Exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the major environmental risk factor for skin cancer. South Africa is situated in the mid-latitudes and experiences relatively high levels of sun exposure with summertime UV Index values greater than 10. The incidence of skin cancer in the population group with fair skin is considered high, with cost implications relating to diagnosis and treatment. Here, the relationship between skin cancer and several environmental factors likely to be a ected by climate change in South Africa are discussed including airborne pollutants, solar UVR, ambient temperature and rainfall. Recommended strategies for personal sun protection, such as shade, clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, may change as human behaviour adapts to a warming climate. Further research and data are required to assess any future impact of climate change on the incidence of skin cancer in South Africa.
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    Internet access constrains science development and training at South African universities
    (Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), 2011-09) Slippers, Bernard; Majozi, Thokozani; Nelwamondo, Fulufhelo V.; Steenkamp, Christine M.; Van Heerden, Esta; Wright, Caradee Y.
    As a group of young scientists whose future careers depend increasingly on access to Internet resources, we are extremely concerned by the apparent lack of understanding of the stranglehold that current approaches to Internet pricing are placing on the development of science in South Africa.
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    Modelling the healthcare costs of skin cancer in South Africa
    (BioMed Central, 2016) Gordon, Louisa G.; Elliott, Thomas M.; Wright, Caradee Y.; Deghaye, Nicola; Visser, Willie
    Background: Skin cancer is a growing public health problem in South Africa due to its high ambient ultraviolet radiation environment. The purpose of this study was to estimate the annual health system costs of cutaneous melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in South Africa, incorporating both the public and private sectors. Methods: A cost-of-illness study was used to measure the economic burden of skin cancer and a ‘bottom-up’ micro-costing approach. Clinicians provided data on the patterns of care and treatments while national costing reports and clinician fees provided cost estimates. The mean costs per melanoma and per SCC/BCC were extrapolated to estimate national costs using published incidence data and official population statistics. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to address the uncertainty of the parameters used in the model. Results: The estimated total annual cost of treating skin cancers in South Africa were ZAR 92.4 million (2015) (or US$15.7 million). Sensitivity analyses showed that the total costs could vary between ZAR 89.7 to 94.6 million (US$15.2 to $16.1 million) when melanoma-related variables were changed and between ZAR 78.4 to 113.5 million ($13.3 to $19.3 million) when non-melanoma-related variables were changed. The primary drivers of overall costs were the cost of excisions, follow-up care, radical lymph node dissection, cryotherapy and radiation therapy. Conclusion: The cost of managing skin cancer in South Africa is sizable. Since skin cancer is largely preventable through improvements to sun-protection awareness and skin cancer prevention programs, this study highlights these healthcare resources could be used for other pressing public health problems in South Africa.
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    What is the research experience of young scientists in South Africa?
    (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2013-11-27) Schutte, Aletta E.; Wright, Caradee Y.; Langdon, Genevieve; Lochner, Christine; Myers, Bronwyn
    ENGLISH SUMMARY : The results of an online survey – the SAYAS Survey of Young Scientists that involved the participation of 1021 postgraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from tertiary institutions in South Africa – were released in a report launched in November 2013. In this commentary we highlight some of the key findings from the report: The Research Experience of Young Scientists in South Africa.