For prominent Nigerians and celebrities in the country, cancer is no longer an ailment to only imagine. It is one that is currently ravaging their ranks and reducing their numbers.
Mariam Babangida
Just a few weeks ago, the dreaded disease which comes in different forms and attacks different parts of the body, has claimed the lives of two notable women. One is 48-year old Roseline Ogbemudia, wife of the eldest son of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia, former governor of Edo State, southsouth Nigeria, while the other victim is popular socialite and sister of former Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, Evangelist Bimpe Oluwayose-Sorinolu.
Roseline and Bimpe both battled breast cancer till death. While the former died in a hospital in India, the latter, who had been treating the ailment since 2011, died in a London hospital on Wednesday evening.
Ironically, 4 February was World Cancer Day, a day the National Cancer Prevention Programme (NCPP) disclosed that an estimated 80,000 citizens of the country die from various forms of cancer annually.
Prominent Nigerians whose lives have been cut short by cancer in recent times include Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki, who battled the ailment for five years, 51-year old Remi Osholake, a fashion designer popularly known as Remi Lagos, and Sam Ojebode, an ex-Green Eagles star who passed on in Oyo State after his battle with cancer of the lungs.
Cassandra Gabriel, popularly known as Sisi Caro, died of breast cancer last year
The demise of Nollywood actress, Cassandra Gabriel, popularly known as Sisi Caro in AK Media’s television drama, Face-2-Face, is still fresh. She died of breast cancer last year.
Taiwo Bello, succumbed to cancer last year
Another Nollywood personality who also succumbed to cancer last year was Taiwo Bello, a movie producer and director who co-wrote the movie, Jenifa, with Funke Akindele and produced and directed the 2010 movie, Omije Mi.
In December, 2010, Yusuf Jibo, former Zonal Director of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), died of colon cancer.
Clara Oshiomhole: Died of cancer 8 December, 2010
Clara, wife of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State also died of cancer on 8 December, 2010, eleven days to her daughter’s wedding.
On 27 December, 2009, Maryam Babangida, wife of former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd), died of ovarian cancer after a long battle with the disease. She was aged 61.
That same year, precisely on 5 September, Gani Fawehinmi, renowned lawyer and human rights activist; Remi Abiola, actress and wife of latebusinessman and politician, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, as well as Alaere Alaibe, wife of Bayelsa-born politician, Timi Alaibe, all died of cancer.
NTA ace broadcaster, Yinka Craig, 60, died on 23 September, 2008 as a result of cancer of the blood, while musician-turned evangelist, Sonny Okosuns, lost the battle to cancer of the colon on 24 May, 2008 at the age of 61.
Sam Ojebode, also died of cancer
Cancer could be caused by many different factors. According to the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr. Osahon Enabulele, things such as ultraviolet and ionizing radiation; chemical carcinogens, such as asbestos, components of tobacco smoke, food and drinking water contaminants as well as infections from certain viruses, bacteria or parasites could cause it.
The President of Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, Mr. Olumide Akintayo, explained at the recent World Cancer Day that, “the incidence of cancer rises dramatically with age, most likely due to a build-up of risks for specific cancers that increase with age.”
He said tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity could trigger the ailment, adding that chronic infections from hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and some types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) are common causes in poor countries.
“Many cancers have a high chance of cure if detected early and treated adequately,” he said.
The Chief Consultant Radiation Oncologist, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Festus Igbinoba, also warned people to avoid grilled meat and animal fat where possible.
Remi Lagos: Couldn’t resist death by cancer
He said carcinogens present in the environment cause cancer and that if they could be avoided, there would be a reduction in cancer risks.
According to him, just as smoking could result in lung cancer, alcohol could cause cancer of the mouth, the esophagus, the liver, etc.
“If you can avoid alcohol and tobacco, you have helped yourself a lot in avoiding many of the cancers,” he said.
