•Prostate cancer
Survivors of prostate cancer transformed a clinic’s anniversary into a national health warning, as The Prostate Clinic (TPC) marked its first year of operations in Lagos. Their testimonies, filled with re‑ lief and gratitude, underscored the urgent need for awareness and early detection among Nigerian men.
The gathering, attended by patients, families, and medical experts, highlighted a troubling reality: fear, silence, and misinformation continue to drive more than 80 per cent of men to present with late‑stage prostate cancer, often when treatment options are already limited, reports Daily Independent.
Retired Major General John Enenche, former spokesperson of the Nigerian Armed Forces, alongside other survivors, recounted personal battles with the disease, describing how timely intervention and advanced procedures saved their lives. Their stories reaffirmed that prostate cancer is not a death sentence if detected early.
Major General Enenche shared his experience with prostate cancer, highlighting both its risks and the hope offered by treatment. He was joined by fellow survivors — Ichie Sylvester Osigwe, Mr. Adeshina Alabi, Mr. Ben Alozie, Mr. Inno‑ cent Ihebuzor, and Mr. Emmanuel Okolie, who travelled from Canada, all emphasising one message: early detection saves lives.
A General’s Wake‑Up Call
Enenche told the audience how a divine prompting saved his life. “I heard clearly: ‘Go and check yourself, check your prostate, check your kidneys.’ That instruction saved my life,” he recalled.
Years earlier, he had noticed subtle changes in his body but ignored them. When he finally went for a test, his prostate‑specific antigen (PSA) level came back at 14.2, a worrying figure. Further investigations confirmed suspicions of cancer.
Fear gripped him. “I told the doctor, ‘Remove everything, both testicles and nerves. Let me just live so I can continue serving Nigeria,” he recounted.
But Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, founder of TPC, urged caution. “He told me, ‘General, you will need those structures. Let us do what is best medically.’ That gave me confidence,” Enenche said.
He underwent robotic surgery lasting four hours. “When I woke up, it was done. I didn’t even real‑ ise what had happened,” he said. Now fully recovered, he speaks with gratitude: “I walked into that hospital. I walked out. The money I spent became nothing compared to the life I gained.”
Testimonies of Survival
Enenche’s story was one of many. Mr. Innocent Ihebuzor de‑ scribed months of distress before his procedure. “I was urinating up to 10 times a night. I couldn’t sleep,” he said.
“After the surgery, everything returned to normal. I urinate like a young boy again.”
Mr. Emmanuel Okolie, who flew in from Canada, said his diagnosis came at a devastating moment. Frustrated by delays abroad, he chose to seek treatment in Lagos.
“I would rather die in the hands of a human being,” he said, expressing joy at his successful surgery and rapid recovery.
Ichie Sylvester Osigwe shared how his PSA level soared to 69 shortly after his wife died of cancer.
“I asked, ‘Will I survive?’ The professor told me, ‘You will not die.’ Today, I am alive,” he said.
Mr. Adeshina Alabi recounted how his PSA level rose to 7.9 last year. Disappointed by poor service elsewhere, he was referred to TPC. He underwent robotic surgery on 27 December and recovered smoothly.
“This new place is excel‑ lent,” he said, praising the professionalism and care. Mr. Ben Alozie, a journalist, reflected years after his surgery: “Prostate cancer is not a death sentence. I am practically cancer‑free.”
These survivors are among 100 patients treated at the clinic in its first year, including men from Ghana and Canada who sent video testimonies.
Patients As Mouthpiece
Chairman of TPC, Mr. Francis Ogboro, described the anniversary as both symbolic and significant.
“We have treated 99 patients, my‑ self making it 100. This is not just a vision realised for one man, but for the entire world,” he said.
He emphasised that patient testimonies have become the clinic’s strongest voice.
“We don’t need to spend so much on advertising be‑ cause our patients are our mouth‑ piece. When they share their experiences, others come running,” he said.
According to him, the clinic was established to deliver global best standards locally.
“When you come to TPC, you expect the best, not the best in Africa, but the best in the world. That is what we are committed to delivering.”
A Silent Killer
Addressing journalists, Professor Ekwueme painted a troubling picture: “Prostate cancer kills more men in Nigeria than almost anywhere else. Over 80 per cent of men present when the disease is already incurable,” he said.
He contrasted this with developed countries: “In the UK, only about 12.5 per cent present with incurable disease. Here, it is the reverse. That is the tragedy.”
He warned that the difference between early and late detection is often the difference between life and death.
“If your cancer is incurable, even with money, you may live two to four years. But if it is found early, you will live your normal life expectancy,” he said.
Myths And Misinformation
Ekwueme stressed that misinformation remains a major problem.
“There is no known cause of prostate cancer. What we have are established risk factors: age, being black, and family history. Every other claim is speculation,” he said.
He dismissed widely held beliefs about prevention.
“There is no diet that prevents prostate cancer. People take all sorts of mixtures and are still present with advanced disease. No amount of sex will prevent prostate cancer. These are myths.”
Risk increases with age, particularly after 50, while black men are more likely to develop aggressive forms. Those with a family history are at even greater risk.
“If you have a family history, you should begin PSA testing at 45,” he advised.
Fear And Delay
On the danger of fear, Ekwueme said many men avoid hospitals. “Men are afraid of losing their erections, but they should be more afraid of losing their lives,” he said.
He cautioned against outdated practices. “In some places, men still have their testicles removed unnecessarily. That is no longer standard practice. In over 20 years, I have not removed a testicle for prostate cancer in the UK.”
Treatment decisions, he warned, must not be taken lightly.
“You cannot treat prostate cancer like going to the market. The first treatment you receive is your best chance. If it is done wrongly, it is very difficult to correct.”
Using a vivid analogy, he added, “Would you board a plane if the pilot told you it was his first time? That is how you should think about surgery.”
Preserving Dignity
Reassuring patients, he said modern techniques have changed outcomes.
“With the right technique, you will not be incontinent. You will not wear nappies. Your dignity can be preserved, and you can live a normal life.”
He emphasised that beyond the number of procedures performed, safety remains paramount.
“It is not just about how many surgeries we have done, but how safely they were done. Every patient should go home better than they came.”
Highlighting another concern, he added, “Many men worry about erection, but incontinence is actually worse. With the right expertise, both can be preserved, but the priority is to save life and dignity.”
Mission To Reverse Statistics
Reaffirming his commitment, Ekwueme declared, “My mission is to reverse the prostate cancer statistics in Nigeria. I will not stop until we get there.”
He explained that his vision goes beyond individual treatments to transforming access to care. “I have treated patients from across the world, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, the United States, the UK, Canada, and they come to Nigeria for this care,” he said.
His decision to establish TPC locally was to bridge the gap. “Nigerians should not have to travel abroad for world‑class treatment. We must bring that care here,” he said, adding that plans are under‑ way to expand services nation‑ wide.
The anniversary of The Prostate Clinic was more than a celebration. It was a collective testimony and a national warning reaffirming that prostate cancer is not a death sentence if detected early, but fear, silence, and misinformation continue to cost lives. Survivors urged men over 40 to get tested, while experts called for urgent action to reverse Nigeria’s troubling statistics.
