HEALTH CRISIS: Chronicles of cancer survivors

…Transforming from passive patient to active expert saved my life – JULIA FORTUNE
…OLASOJI ALONGE: I was determined to survive the moment I was diagnosed
…Brain cancer surgery: Only God saved me – ESTHER OKOYE

By Sola Ogundipe

The stories of cancer survivors and people living with cancer are typical and just a few among the several hundreds of thousands that form the quiet frontline of a crisis Nigerians rarely talk about. Vanguard’s investigations reveal that Nigeria is facing a steep increase in new cancer cases and survivors.

Among the common causes of the rising burden are ageing, lifestyle changes, and environmental exposures. No doubt the burden is staggering, and behind the numbers are cultural myths, fear, poor access to screening, and limited treatment facilities, all of which contribute towards accelerating: late diagnosis.

Nigerians are caught in what can be called the late-diagnosis trap for cancer. Patients usually show up for treatment late. Findings reveal that over 70 percent of cancer patients in the country present at Stage III or State IV, when treatment is more complex, more expensive, and far less effective. It has created a dangerous environment where people completely shy away from medical examinations until symptoms can no longer be ignored.

The silence around cancer is loud. Families are scared to talk about it out loud, they only whisper, communities hide it. Many would rather not mention the word or even acknowledge it.

But cancer does not have to remain a death sentence in Nigeria, it does not have to be whispered and it certainly should not continue claiming lives simply because people waited too long to ask for help.

Talking about cancer is the first step to overcoming it. The silence must end, the conversation starts now. Vanguard went to town to gather stories of Nigerians who faced cancer and survived.

Transformation from passive patient to active expert saved my life – Julia Fortune

On December 13, 2007, the holiday cheer in Vacaville, California, USA, felt like a promise. For Dr. Julia Fortune, Founder, Julia Fortune Global Outreach Ministry it was a day for hope and the quiet excitement of the season, but by evening, the world had turned upside down. What was supposed to be a routine mammogram ended with a request for a second opinion—a sentence that carries a weight only those who have heard it can truly understand.

“In 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer that later metastasized to an advanced stage. Through faith, prayer, and holistic living, God brought me through multiple surgeries and treatments. Today, I stand as a testimony that victory is possible.

As the doctor delivered the news, I felt a wave of conflicting emotions—shock, disbelief, and fear engulfed me. Cancer was a familiar foe; I had seen it claim distant relatives and close friends alike. Despite being aware of the risks, I had done my best to protect myself by performing regular self-examinations and staying informed on the latest statistics. But fate had a different plan.

The diagnosis

Diagnosed with advanced Stage 3C cancer, I sought second and third opinions, eventually unearthing the true magnitude of my condition. The disease had stealthily metastasized to my lymph nodes. From that moment on, my life spiraled into the dark, cold world of oncology. My journey to confront this ruthless disease began in a state of shock, hoping it was all a terrible dream. However, cancer is a harsh reality that cannot be wished away.

Dr Death and Dr Life

I was thrust into the dark, cold world of oncology. My initial entry into this world was made harder by a physician I nicknamed Dr. Death. He was cold and dismissive, meeting my admissions of fear with an arrogant ‘What are you afraid of?’ It was a crushing blow but I refused to be a passive victim. I fired Dr. Death and found a guardian angel who I called Dr. Life. This new oncologist held me with comfort and honesty, laying out a brutal but necessary map for survival. The plan was aggressive. It involved a mastectomy and a three-drug chemotherapy cocktail with tongue-twisters as names. I had never been a fan of medicine, but realised I had to put personal preferences aside. I committed to my initial intention: fighting this disease with everything I had.

Quest for clarity

However, the turning point wasn’t just the drugs; it was a moment of stark honesty from Dr. Life. When I asked if I would survive, the doctor admitted there were no guarantees. That lack of a definitive yes was a wake-up call. I became a researcher on a mission to gain access to academic libraries and peer-reviewed journals. I enrolled in a Healthcare Administration programme, spent hours burning the midnight oil, reading about the consequences of radiation and the science of chemotherapy.

The quest for clarity eventually led me to earn a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland in 2012. Each article I read and each course I took became a weapon in my arsenal. Those times were challenging. I never intended to further my education in this way, but if I was going to be healed, I had to make sacrifices.

I wrote my first book, ‘Chronicles of a Cancer Survivor: If I Only Knew Then What I Know Now’, based on scholarly journals and peer-reviewed articles. I later pursued a Certification Course in Healthcare and then continued to obtain a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of Maryland University College, UMUC, and graduated in 2012. Cancer was not going to take me down; that was a promise I made to myself.

My first book served as both a roadmap for my second book, ‘Living Cancer-Free After 10 Years, A Holistic Approach to Life’, and a heartfelt tribute to the courageous souls who have navigated the turbulent waters of breast cancer and emerged victorious. They are the shining beacons of inspiration for us all. This journey was not just about surviving; it was about reclaiming my life. Copies of my books can be obtained via Julia Fortune Global Ministry https://juliafortune.org and 100 percent from the sales go towards supporting the ministry.

Redefining the battle

Thanks to my determination to fight, cancer became a small “c” to me—it was not going to take me down. This journey of learning gave me a sense of control in a situation where I had felt powerless. Each article I read and each course I took became a weapon in my arsenal.

In retrospect, while the diagnosis was a devastating blow, it also opened a new chapter filled with personal growth and a deep appreciation for the resilience of the human spirit.

Armed with newfound knowledge and the care of Dr. Life, I felt prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. This was no longer just about surviving cancer; it was about redefining my life in the face of adversity.

Mastectomy and breast reconstruction

The year 2008 was a blur of physical and mental testing. I underwent a mastectomy of the right breast — a loss I felt deeply as a woman – followed by an Axillary Lymph Node Dissection, ALND, where 20 nodes were removed from my right armpit. The recovery was a slow, painful process of adjusting to numbness and weakness. After both surgeries, I waited almost two years to do breast reconstruction. It was done in 2009 at a university hospital in California. I required breast reconstruction to help me feel whole again after the trauma of cancer and mastectomy.

Yet, amidst the surgical trauma, I found an unexpected soulful strength in a hospital support group. Expecting to see only older women, I was humbled to find ladies in their 20s sharing their stories with joy. They made me feel lifted. The support group became more than just a meeting — it became a source of strength, hope, and healing. While I respected medical science, I knew I needed more than just the removal of symptoms; I wanted to address the root causes.

Adoption of holistic health

This led me to Valerie, a professional who bridged the gap between traditional medicine and holistic health. Together, we shifted the focus toward cellular health and detoxification. By reversing the conditions that allowed the cancer to thrive, I found peace of mind.

It wasn’t just the big surgeries, but the small, consistent choices that supported my body’s resilience.
In the end, my battle with cancer became more than just a fight for survival. It became a transformative experience that reshaped my understanding of health, resilience, and the power of holistic healing. While the road was long and often difficult, I emerged stronger, wiser, and with a renewed appreciation for life and the human capacity for healing.

I was determined to survive the moment I was diagnosed – Olasoji Alonge

As soon as he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, Olasoji Alonge, a middle-aged Lagos-based businessman refused to let his spirit be colonised by fear. There and then, he made a silent, iron-clad vow to fight the disease and survive.

“Having cancer is not the end of the world. I am happy to be alive today and grateful to God for what He has done for me. There are three major things I want to say as a cancer survivor. First, we must believe in the supremacy of God in fighting this battle.

Supremacy of faith

I strongly believe that the Holy Communion healed me. I say both long and short prayers, but whenever I receive the Communion, I tell God, ‘Cancer is evil, so it cannot be in me. You are in me now, Lord; it is not possible for cancer to survive when You are there.’

Cancer has killed billionaires, so money alone will not save you. I remember when I was diagnosed in India; the doctor came to my room with two others to tell me I had prostate cancer. We had done a biopsy, and he began explaining the result. I asked, ‘Doctor, why are you telling me this? Was the result positive?’ He said yes.

A calm mind is the first victory

The room went quiet. I heaved a sigh and said: ‘Well, no problem. God will see me through, I will get out of this.’ The three men looked at me in surprise. The next day, the doctor returned and said, ‘Mr. Alonge, when I told you the results, you were calm. I brought two people with me because some patients jump or fall when they hear they have cancer; we have to hold them so they don’t hurt themselves. But you said no problem. Why?’

I looked at him and replied: ‘Yes, doctor, I know God will see me through.’ Then he told me: ‘You have won the first battle. Cancerous cells thrive in a stressed body, but your fighting spirit has given you the advantage. Now, the next battle is the medication.’

From “agbo” to high-tech scans

I came back to Nigeria and fought with prayers, discipline, and medication. I used both herbal remedies (agbo) and orthodox medicine. I made sure to ask questions, checking if the herbal treatments would interfere with my prescriptions.

When I went to the prayer ground, the Reverend Father told me two things: He urged me to take my medications with discipline, and then he gave me prayer points. Today, 15 years later, I am still alive to the glory of God.

Fighting cancer is expensive. I travelled to India three times a year at first, then twice, then once. My last trip was in 2019. At one point, I protested to the doctor when he gave me a three-month follow-up. I said to him: ‘I don’t live in India, I live in Nigeria. It costs a lot to stay in hotels and pay bills.’ He agreed to let me do a PET-MRI scan in Nigeria and send the results to him. That was when I realised our challenges.

A billionaire’s silence

At that time, there was no place in Nigeria to do a PET scan. I felt bad as a Nigerian. While there is slight improvement now, it surprises me that our billionaires do not invest in healthcare. I once sent a text message to a famous Nigerian billionaire while I was in hospital in India, telling him he could build a cancer centre even better than the one I was in. He never replied. The government should encourage the wealthy men by offering tax reductions of 20 to 50 percent if they invest in healthcare infrastructure.

In the UK, cancer treatment is free for citizens; in the US, they rely on insurance; but in Nigeria, you are on your own. I did brachytherapy twice in India, which cost between $15,000 and $20,000. In America, it would have been $45,000. Fighting cancer is very expensive.

I also want to emphasise early detection. My PSA was once over 100. When I first did the test in Nigeria, it was 40. The nurse looked at me with an expression that suggested I was already a dead man. I also had a terrible experience with a biopsy at a teaching hospital here. After all the pain, they told me they didn’t take enough of a specimen and I had to repeat it. I didn’t go back. In India, the process was different; they gave me antibiotics days before the procedure to prevent the infections and pain I experienced in Nigeria.

Lesson of early diagnosis

Diagnosis is vital. I met a man in India who was being treated for something else in Nigeria, only to find out in India that he had advanced colon cancer. They told him he had three months to live. He lasted eight months, but it was too late.

I tell every patient that cancer is a lifetime battle. Even in remission, don’t stop healthy eating, exercising, and asking questions. New treatments like Proton Therapy are evolving, and don’t be afraid of the side effects of treatment. I knew a man in his 70s who stopped his prostate medication because it affected his libido, he chose sex over his life, and he died two years later.

Lifestyle matters

At that age, life is more important than penetrative sex, you can find joy in other things. I found it in lawn tennis. The exercise and the social interaction at the tennis club were part of my healing.

Do not hide your condition. I had a friend in Switzerland who had prostate cancer but told no one—not even his wife. He promised to pay for my medical trips but died three months later. It was only after his death that we knew what killed him.

Don’t be ashamed. Discuss your challenges; you never know where help will come from. This is my story.”

Brain cancer surgery: Only God saved me – Esther Okoye

Esther Okoye was 18 years old when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain tumour. Everybody initially thought it was just the stress of school or a bit of malaria, but they were all wrong.

“I was taken from one hospital to another, and it was at one tertiary hospital that the diagnosis was confirmed – brain cancer. For months afterward, my parents ran around for a solution as I suffered from persistent dull headaches, dizziness and a fever that seemed to live in my bones. One day in school, I slumped. The left side of my body was paralysed, it felt like dead weight over my arm and leg. It was the first time I felt truly afraid.

The weeks that followed were a blur. I was taken everywhere — private clinics, public hospitals, prayer houses, and finally, the big teaching hospital. When the doctors identified my ailment as Brain Stem Glioma, it sounded like a curse. Surgery was recommended, it was to be carried out in India, we sold all our property, everything.

The family’s savings and contributions from close friends and our church, all vanished into tests, scans, and consultation fees. I spent several months in bed, the hardest part wasn’t the pain, it was struggling to raise the money for the surgery which was so expensive we went cap in hand begging for funds but we were only able to raise a small part of the sum.

But for a benevolent Foundation that came to my rescue, the worst could have happened. They donated a huge sum, and finally, the surgery was within reach. I was fortunate that the tumour was caught in time before it spread too fast. I’m still recovering, but it is a miracle that I survived. Only God saved me.”

Even after double mastectomy, I’m happy to be alive – Linda Sampson

Linda Sampson had noticed lumps in her right breast years before she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, synchronous bilateral breast cancer. Linda, who later had a right breast mastectomy, discovered that the lumps had spread to her left breast.

”I was 19 when I first noticed the lumps in my right breast, but when you’re that young, you tell yourself it’s nothing. I didn’t know what I was playing with, by the time I turned 25 and was hearing the diagnosis of breast cancer, it was like a physical blow.

“I had a mastectomy, waking up afterwards without my right breast, only to find out the cancer had already spread to the left breast, so another mastectomy. Then came chemotherapy – a slow, draining ritual, but the real torture wasn’t the nausea; it was the financial and emotional cost of treatment. Every round was a fresh mountain of debt. I spent my days in a desperate, frantic search for funds, begging for the chance to keep breathing. The cancer was fast but thank God I fought with everything. Although I had a double mastectomy and don’t have breasts again, I’m happy to be alive. My resolve to live triumphed.”

My body was talking, but I was listening to rumours –- Bukola Ladapo

Bukola Ladapo, a school teacher, was 29 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“I was healthy, and frankly, I believed that I was too busy to be sick. When I felt the small, painless lump under my armpit, I did what young people usually do: I pushed it to the back of my mind. I had heard of stories told in the social space about not going to the hospital, because of a perception that they always find things wrong with you or that they will kill you.

I believed the rumours more than I trusted my own body and was afraid that going to a doctor would make the nightmare ‘real’.

This belief made me wait until the ‘painless’ lump became burning and unbearable under my skin. When I finally saw the doctor, it was too late for a simple fix. The screening showed the lump was malignant, the cancer had spread from under and invaded my breast. I cried out for help, I really did, but I realised I had let the silence go on for too long. I let my fear of the hospital become the very thing that ensured I wouldn’t leave it.”

Proactive cancer prevention steps

Adoption of healthy habits that reduce cancer risk remains low, although public messaging is gradually improving awareness and health-seeking behaviour.

Major barriers to early cancer detection in Nigeria include poverty, low education, stigma, inadequate manpower, limited infrastructure, and lack of routine screening services.

Early detection is the single most important factor in curing cancer, many patients only seek medical help after symptoms appear, by which time the disease is often advanced.

Breast cancer may present as a painless lump, nipple discharge, or skin changes, while cervical cancer often shows as post-menopausal or post-coital bleeding, and prostate cancer commonly causes urinary difficulty, back pain, or weight loss.

Screening can detect cancer even before symptoms appear, noting that breast self-examination, mammography, PSA testing for prostate cancer, and HPV vaccination for cervical cancer can significantly reduce mortality.

Cancer is not a death sentence, most cancers can be cured if detected early, while even advanced cases can be managed to improve quality of life.

The post HEALTH CRISIS: Chronicles of cancer survivors appeared first on Vanguard News.