Oncomax Cancer Centre

ONCOMAX CANCER CENTRE

Oncomax Cancer Centre has been a realization of a dream for cancer care in Johannesburg South. Complete cancer care in one building.

Oncomax in the Medimix allows our community, convenient access to state-of-the-art diagnostics, treatment, and supportive services all under one roof.

Our humble beginnings at the Nevada Centre presented several challenges in providing comprehensive cancer care.

The introduction of radiotherapy services in 2010 provided exciting new possibilities at the Clinton Oncology Centre for cancer treatment.

We are pleased to maximize your cancer care experience through the facilities of Oncomax at Medimix.

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues heads up the unit with a dynamic and passionate team. She has been a dedicated part of the community, bringing cancer care to Alberton since 2006.

__________

THE ONCOMAX TEAM

DR SYLVIA RODRIGUES

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues has a master’s degree in Advanced Oncology from the Ulm University in Germany and she has practiced clinical oncology since 2006.

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues (MP0485845) is also the Consultant Physician for Stepping Stone Hospital since 2013 and the Principal Investigator for Emery Clinical Services since 2016.

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues is passionate about bringing an all-inclusive cancer care experience which includes chemotherapy, radiation therapy and targeted therapies.

In addition to Dr Sylvia Rodrigues numerous academic achievements, it is her hands-on-approach to cancer care that truly defines her approach to creating an individualized cancer care program to meet both her patients and their families needs.

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues provides care that is honest and compassionate.

HIGHER EDUCATION

MBChB
► University of Pretoria (1992-1997)
BSC Honours (Pharmacology)
► Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education (1998-1999)
Diploma in Anaesthesiology
► The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (2000)
MPharmMed
► University of Pretoria (2001-2003)
MPhil (Palliative Medicine)
► University of Cape Town (2002-2004)
MMed (Radiation Oncology)
► University of Pretoria (2002-2006)
FC Rad Onc
► The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (2006)
MSc (Advanced Oncology)
► Ulm University Germany (2012)

COURSES ATTENDED

► Diving and Hyperbaric Medicine Staff Training Course (2004)

► Primary Training in Hyperbaric Medicine (2005)

► Certificate in Medicine and Law (2011)

► Certificate in Integrative Medicine (2013)

► Certificate in Mindfulness Based Interventions (2016)

► Introduction to Cranial Neurosurgery and Advanced Radiosurgery (2017)

► Implementation and Practice of Image-Guided Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (2022)

DOCTORS

Dr Ilse Kapp, Dr Charlotte Dubert and Dr Brenda van Zyl have a collective experience of more than 20 years in oncology care and assist with after hours and weekend cover.

NURSING TEAM

Mogie Govender and Shahana Ebrahim are both experienced cancer care nurses and are assisted by Portia Khumalo. Together they aim to provide efficient chemotherapy care in a safe and warm environment.

ADMIN

Helping you navigate the numerous administrative challenges of cancer care, is the very experienced and well-regarded Cathy Nel and Kayla Hartzenberg.

ONCOMAX SERVICES

CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy offers a potential cure for certain cancers and good palliation for others; both aims being important to the ethos of the practice.

Chemotherapy has evolved over the years, offering smarter drugs and better tools to manage potential side effects.
(view info here)

Dr Rodrigues’ journey started when working at the Department of Medical Oncology at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria. Seeing how the Oncology Unit managed to change so many lives in positive ways, sparked a desire to learn more.

Targeted therapies and immunotherapies are changing the landscape of oncology. Dr Rodrigues' participation in clinical trials and expanded access programs has allowed her to offer patients these novel therapies in an experienced and safe environment.

Included in the oncology toolbox are hormonal therapies used for prostate and breast cancer; these are also evolving as new hormonal therapies become available.

Dr Rodrigues is an active member of the American and European Societies of Medical Oncology and follows these international guidelines, as well as, local South African Oncology Consortium (SAOC) and Independent Clinical Oncology Network (ICON) guidelines.

RADIOTHERAPY

Radiotherapy means the use of radiation, usually x-rays, to treat cancer. Radiotherapy can be given from inside the body, called internal radiotherapy, or external radiotherapy, which is from outside the body.

Dr Rodrigues qualified as a radiation oncologist and is an active member of the South African Society of Clinical and Radiation Oncology (SASMO), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) which allow her to keep abreast of all the new innovative radiotherapy techniques.
(view info here)

Dr Rodrigues's radiotherapy experience includes working with children and she completed the ESTRO RANZCR online workshop on paediatric oncology.

Dr Rodrigues was privileged to be a part of the pioneering group to bring the Gammaknife stereotactic radiation unit to South Africa.

Dr Rodrigues completed the training at the Gammaknife unit at Cleveland clinic in the USA and was the first radiation oncologist to treat a patient on the Gammaknife unit at Milpark Hospital.
(view info here and here)

BRACHYTHERAPY

Dr Rodrigues works alongside urology and medical physics team to manage localised prostate cancer with interstitial iodine seed implantation brachytherapy.
(view info here)

As part of her training, Dr Rodrigues was trained in the use of radioisotope therapies and can manage both benign and malignant thyroid disease with the use of radioactive iodine therapy.

Dr Rodrigues has been a presenter and panelist at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital thyroid cancer workshop over the years.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM MEETINGS

Dr Rodrigues is a member of several multidisciplinary team meetings which are vital to offer the most comprehensive therapy for the management of cancer.

These meetings allow for input and management decisions from all disciplines including radiology, pathology, surgery, oncology, and ancillary supportive services.
(view info here)

VISIT ONCOMAX

FIRST CONSULTATION: WHAT TO BRING

Arrange for a friend or family member to come with you
You will receive a lot of information during the appointment and it’ll be helpful to have someone else with you to listen and take notes.

Bring paper and a pen and a list of questions you might have
So you can take notes during your appointment.

Bring your medical aid details and your ID card or driver’s license
We will need to know your medical aid name as well as who is the main member, which option you are on and the membership number.

«« Print list
__________

Bring your histology report
This report analyses the tissue samples from the tumour that were taken at your biopsy or surgical procedures.

Bring your radiology tests
These are tests that have been taken at a radiology or nuclear medicine department. The images may be on disc or on film. Examples include X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, PET scans and bone scans.

Bring your medical summary
This is a description detailing general medical history, any operations you have had and list of allergies.

Bring a list of your medication
Please be sure to bring a list of all medications that you take, including those prescribed by doctors and those that you buy over the counter (vitamins or herbal products).

EMAIL US

Dr Sylvia Rodrigues
drsylvia@rodonc.co.za

Enquiries & Appointments
reception@rodonc.co.za

Radiotherapy & Administration
admin@rodonc.co.za

Chemotherapy
chemo@rodonc.co.za

Authorisations
auths@rodonc.co.za

WHERE TO FIND US

Telephone
+27 11 869 7336

Location

Physical Address
2nd floor, West Wing
Medimix at Newmarket
1 Riboville Street
Newmarket Park Extension 15
Alberton
1449