VAAL TRIANGLE. – From a young age Dr Ben Rautenbach wanted to solve problems proactively. As a young engineering student at the University of Pretoria in the late 1960’s he dreamed of the day he would solve technical challenges.
But then this multifaceted young man realised he actually wanted to work with people, and decided to change direction to become a medical doctor – a loss for the engineering world but a huge win for his future patients. His dream became a reality and he completed his post graduate studies with a specialist qualification as a general surgeon in 1984.

Today Dr Ben is semi-retired, but his dedication to saving lives doesn’t stop. He lives his passion through his clinic in Wonderfontein, Sasolburg, where he carries out colon and gastro-intestinal tract examinations and procedures. In this way he has saved multiple lives, as colon cancer can be reduced by up to 90% if a colonoscopy of the lower gastrointestinal tract (colon) is carried out in time. Polyps that could cause cancer can in this way be detected and removed in a quick, safe and painless procedure.
Because this sort of cancer is painless and can exist and grow undetected, few people have themselves examined – until it’s possibly too late.

“By taking preventative action, patients can avoid much pain and trauma – not to mention the high cost of advanced cancer treatment,” says Dr Ben.
He views it as his life’s mission to reduce the incidence of cancer and wants to make the public aware that they shouldn’t wait for symptoms to appear before having a “screening” colonoscopy, as it might then already be too late.
Anyone 40 years or older should treat this screening as an investigatory precaution. If nothing is detected, the procedure only need be repeated after 10 years. Those with a family member who has been diagnosed with colon cancer or polyps detected in their colon should have the examination done at an earlier age.

“COVID-19 may pass but this real and age old risk of colon cancer is not going to go away. During this pandemic we will still be ready to help patients. At my endoscopy clinic, which is not in town, not even a hospital, but situated on a plot and away from people, we will be able to protect not only ourselves but also the patients from the risk of contracting the virus,” says Dr Ben.
“Protective measures in place include the wearing of masks and gloves by staff members (only three of us) and patients. No hugging or handshaking but proper social distancing and hand sterilization. No patient with a fever or not feeling well will be allowed in the clinic. Only the patient and no relatives or escorts will be allowed in the clinic. Relatives and escorts may wait in their vehicles until the examination is finished. All equipment used are sterilized and can therefore not transmit the virus. Clean linen for every patient.

“This makes my clinic possibly one of the safest places to have these examinations done during this terrible pandemic which will be with us for some time to come. My plea with everyone is not to neglect your own health during these challenging times.”
Anyone who would like to know more about colon cancer or colonoscopies can contact Dr. Rautenbach and his team at 081 357 7794.

Translation by Carol Pittendrigh.