- Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu shared her 27-year breast cancer survival journey, highlighting early detection and a positive mindset as key to her recovery
- She said she overhauled her diet, eliminating sugar and starchy foods, and embraced exercise to help her overcome the disease
- Betty founded BRECAN and Team Survivors Nigeria to provide emotional and psychosocial support for cancer survivors, advocating that a diagnosis isn’t a death sentence
Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has bravely shared her 27-year journey of surviving breast cancer, revealing how early intervention, lifestyle changes, and a determined mindset helped her overcome the disease.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, February 5, Anyanwu-Akeredolu detailed her diagnosis at the age of 44, explaining that she sought medical treatment at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, rather than resorting to spiritual or alternative methods.
Her account highlights the vital role early detection played in her survival, as her cancer was diagnosed at Stage 1, with no lymph node involvement.
The former first lady’s educational background, she says, enabled her to recognise that cancer is a medical issue requiring professional treatment, rather than attributing her diagnosis to a spiritual cause.
She was determined to survive for the sake of her young children, and it was this strong sense of resolve that led her to make significant changes to her diet.
She eliminated starchy foods and sugar from her meals, believing these to be factors that fuel cancer growth.
"My experience with cancer is a mixed grill of triumph and, lately, of grief, Having defeated breast cancer 27 years ago, only to lose my husband, Aketi, to prostate cancer on 26 December 2023. For this conversation, I will tell my story to inform, inspire, and empower the public to take action against cancer, whether as individuals or as a community." she wrote.
Anyanwu-Akeredolu continued: "The major thing that saved me from untimely death at the age of 44 was my mindset and belief. I did not believe that my cancer was caused by anyone, let alone by a spiritual attack. So I did not go to a church or spiritualist—I went to the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. My educational status also enabled me to figure out that cancer is a medical issue, nothing more. I was right!"
She went on to emphasise how her early diagnosis was key in her survival. "Doctors at UCH handled my case, and if I may add, I presented early, at Stage 1 of the disease. No lymph node was affected," she explained.
Reflecting on the importance of lifestyle changes, she said: "Looking at my young children at the time, I was determined to do everything in my power to live and raise them. If giving up soft drinks, ‘swallow’ (eba, pounded yam, amala, akpu), and bread would prolong my life—knowing that starchy foods and sugar fuel cancer growth—so be it."
Her dedication to her health led her to completely overhaul her diet, which now includes vegetables, smoothies, green tea, lemon and ginger tea, beans, moi moi, fish, chicken, snails, and the occasional rice and zobo drink.
Exercise, particularly jogging—one of the flagship activities of her breast cancer advocacy group, BRECAN—has also been an integral part of her healthy lifestyle.
A strong advocate for emotional support during cancer treatment, Anyanwu-Akeredolu founded BRECAN (Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria) to help individuals cope with the emotional and psychological challenges of a cancer diagnosis.
She also established Team Survivors Nigeria (TSN), a community of breast cancer survivors offering vital psychosocial support. The initiative aims to demonstrate that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence.
"My work in BRECAN and TSN is a testament to my belief that cancer survivors can thrive and live fulfilling lives, Today, I am proudly a 27-year breast cancer survivor, thriving and still committed to the fight," she added.
‘I live everyday like it’s my last’ – Farooq Oreagba, Ojude Oba star, speaks on fighting cancer
TheRadar earlier reported that Farooq Oreagba, who was crowned the king of steeze during the 2024 Ojude Oba Festival, said he lives every day like it was his last after his ordeal with multiple myeloma (bone marrow) cancer.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NG Clearing Limited noted that his battle with the disease, which was diagnosed in February 2014, is the best thing to have happened to him and having been crowned ‘king of steeze,’ “I’m not about to just go like that anytime soon.”
