By Joke Kujenya, 2026 Naija Watch Cancer Fellow
WHEN TOSIN Adewale began experiencing stomach pain, constipation and blood in his stool in 2020, he had no idea that the symptoms would eventually lead to a cancer diagnosis and change the direction of his life.
For years, he recounted that he sought medical attention as his condition worsened, but the cause of his symptoms remained unclear. At one point, he became anaemic and unconscious, while doctors struggled to determine what was wrong.
Adewale, 32, was eventually diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023.
The experience, he said, gave him “a new direction in awareness and advocacy”.
Before his diagnosis, he had never encouraged others to seek early detection.
But his experience changed that.
He became interested in speaking publicly about his cancer journey, reaching out for support and raising awareness about the importance of early detection.
His experience also exposed some of the challenges that can confront cancer patients, including misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis and limited access to specialised care.
An estimated 130,000 Nigerians are diagnosed with cancer annually, with breast and prostate cancers among the most prevalent, followed by cervical and colorectal cancers, according to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
For Professor Olusegun Alatise, Regional Coordinator of the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), however, a cancer diagnosis should no longer automatically be viewed as a death sentence.
“Cancer is no longer a death sentence!” Alatise declared, stressing that improving the quality of care and promoting early detection remain crucial to survival.
For Adewale, the importance of early detection became painfully clear as he navigated a difficult path to an accurate diagnosis.
“Initially, I had no idea of what was happening to me,” he said. “Until I became anaemic and unconscious. Even the doctors were confused. They didn’t have an idea of what was happening to me.”
He said he was initially treated at a primary healthcare centre based on his symptoms, but returned to the hospital after he felt that something was not right.
A biopsy later suggested that he had stage one cancer, but a subsequent biopsy showed that the earlier result was wrong.
As the process continued, Adewale said he came to understand how serious misdiagnosis could be, particularly in cancer care, where delays can affect the timing of treatment.
He also identified a shortage of oncologists as another major challenge facing cancer care in Nigeria.
Adewale said findings from a multicentre study involving centres in Kano and Ibadan reinforced his experience that misdiagnosis and inconclusive results could contribute to delays in cancer treatment.
He said his own experience involved a median five-month interval between his first presentation to a formal healthcare professional and an accurate cancer diagnosis.
Beyond the medical challenges, Adewale said support from individuals and healthcare practitioners helped him through the journey.
“At each point along my journey, I reached out to people for physical and financial assistance, and they have been a great pillar of support for me,” he said.
“For instance, when I was to do my immunohistochemistry, it was funding assistance that saw me through.”
His experience eventually pushed him towards advocacy, giving him a new perspective on the importance of helping people recognise cancer symptoms and seek medical attention early.
For Mrs Benita Egone, a breast cancer survivor, the journey was shaped by a different struggle: fear of treatment and the misconceptions surrounding chemotherapy.
Egone said she initially considered declining treatment because of her fears about chemotherapy. She eventually overcame the fear, underwent treatment and survived the disease.
“I took my drugs consistently for one year,” she said, explaining that complications from treatment led to bleeding and a ruptured ovary, resulting in an induced abortion and a 14-day radiation session.
“I did all that. And this is me here today because I took my drugs. I recovered my life from cancer, and I’m happy to be alive,” Egone said.
Her journey began after she discovered a lump in her breast and decided to seek medical attention.
“Unfortunately, I had a lump on my breast, so I decided to go for a checkup,” she said.
The first surgeon she consulted directed her to undergo a scan. Dissatisfied with the outcome, she sought another opinion and said another surgeon later performed what she described as a wrong biopsy.
Her experience reinforced the importance of accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical care.
But medical treatment was not the only source of support she found along the way.
Egone said her brother introduced her to an NGO that provided financial and emotional assistance.
“I met an NGO online through my brother, and I registered with them. And they introduced me to what I would call my God-sent oncologist,” she said.
She also credited her faith and personal determination for helping her through the difficult period.
“The incredible faith I had in God, my belief and what I was doing were big pillars of support for me,” she said.
“Courage is not just the absence of fear. Courage is about moving forward despite obstacles.”
From a clinical perspective, Dr Olaiya Popoola, a clinical oncologist at Eko Hospital, said cancer diagnosis involves several stages, including biopsy, tissue preservation and pathological assessment.
An error at any stage, he explained, could affect the final diagnosis.
“If there’s a problem, there could be a misdiagnosis along the line,” he said.
Popoola also stressed the importance of psychosocial support for cancer patients, saying families and society have an important role to play in helping patients cope with the disease.
Patients who experience rejection or stigmatisation at home, he warned, may feel abandoned and worthless.
He said patients could cope better with cancer and maintain a better quality of life when they were accepted, cherished and properly treated.
Popoola stressed that the survivors’ experiences proved the fact that surviving cancer can involve much more than medical treatment.
He then affirmed that early detection, accurate diagnosis, financial assistance, emotional support and personal determination can all influence a patient’s experience.
Global Agencies Affirm Psychological And Spiritual Wellbeing
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARCA) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) have also emphasised the importance of psycho-oncology as part of comprehensive cancer care, addressing patients’ physical, psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing.
Their reports highlight the role of psychosocial care in cancer treatment, while experts say such support can significantly influence patients’ survival experiences and quality of life.
Having survived cancer, Adewale and Egone are now telling their stories to encourage others to seek early detection, pursue appropriate care and hold on to hope, even after a diagnosis.
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