Mediclinic Cape Town expands oncology expertise

As Mediclinic Cape Town’s first oncologist, Dr Anita Bonthuys’s priority is to make sure every cancer patient feels heard.

Dr Anita Bonthuys recognises just how much a cancer diagnosis can impact a family, and how empathy and care can make all the difference as they walk this difficult journey. For this reason, she aims to provide a compassionate and nurturing environment where patients feel safe and contained.

“It’s easy for a patient facing a cancer diagnosis to feel lost in the system. They’re dealing with so much – a cancer diagnosis is always a shock, even if diagnosed at an early stage. They’re processing these emotions while also trying to understand their best treatment option, and the financial implications. As an oncologist, I believe my job is to assist my patients in making informed decisions regarding their individual care at a time when they feel disempowered. The way to do this is through honest discussions that help them understand both their disease and the possible treatment options.”

Dr Bonthuys’s approach is informed by a background that has given her a sound understanding of the economics behind managed care. She explains that her entry into medicine was prompted by a fascination with how the body works, and a burning desire to understand it. “From there, I sort of stumbled into oncology, as many oncologists do. I’d been working overseas after graduation when I was offered a national research scholarship (NRF), so I returned to Cape Town, where I completed a Master’s in Molecular and Cell Biology, looking specifically at the development and growth of melanomas.”

Dr Bonthuys worked closely with the Oncology Department during this time and fell in love with the discipline. “People often think of oncology as a sad field, but I find it extremely dynamic. It’s advancing rapidly as we find novel ways to treat cancer more effectively and with less toxicity (unhealthy side-effects), giving our patients a better quality of life.”

The next step in her career saw Dr Bonthuys take on a registrar (specialist training) position at Tygerberg Hospital before moving into managed care, where she became interested in health economics and the factors driving access to oncology care. She developed a deep understanding of our local funding structures, and a passion for how to make cancer treatments more accessible to patients in a sustainable and affordable way.

Dr Bonthuys’s move into private practice is an exciting one. “Cancer is such a personal journey, and a time the patient feels particularly vulnerable. I feel privileged to be a part of that journey with my patients and their families, and to be trusted with their wellbeing,” she says. She’s also grateful to be part of “an exceptional hospital” with an outstanding vision: to expand its multidisciplinary approach, so that more specialties (including oncology) are involved in a patient’s care. “This has important implications for the quality of care we can offer and improves patient outcomes.”

The foundation of medicine is evidence-based care, adds Dr Bonthuys. “It means we base our treatment decisions on best available evidence and align with national and international guidelines. This allows us to provide safe and effective care.” She also insists her patients should be part of the decision-making process. “I like to spend time with my patients andbelieve in open and practical discussions to explain the treatment, possible side-effects and potential cost implications.” She encourages patients to ask as many questions as they need to, ensuring a member of her team is always accessible if she isn’t personally available. “This is a time when it’s easy to feel lost, so my goal is to provide structures that assure patients there is always someone to hear their concerns.”

The field of oncology is rapidly evolving, Dr Bonthuys says, with personalised therapeutics aiming to deliver better results. “No two people have the same cancer, so by increasing our understanding of cancer at a cellular level, we’re moving toward therapies that are not only more effective but carry less toxicity. Our patients can then enjoy a greater quality of life both during and long after their cancer has been treated.”

This creates a sense of optimism that Dr Bonthuys hopes to convey through her practice. “I have a clear vision of how my patients should be cared for. The environment at Mediclinic Cape Town supports this: it’s warm, comforting, and provides personalised care, and I value the platform I have here to engage with other specialists.”