Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, wife of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has opened up about her 27-year battle with breast cancer, attributing her survival to early medical intervention, dietary changes, and a strong mindset.

In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, Anyanwu-Akeredolu recounted her cancer diagnosis at the age of 44, emphasising that she sought medical treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, rather than resorting to spiritual solutions.

She highlighted the importance of early detection, noting that her cancer was diagnosed at Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement, adding that her educational background played a key role in understanding that cancer requires medical intervention and lifestyle changes.

Determined to live for her children, she said she drastically modified her diet, cutting out starchy foods and sugar, which she believes fuel cancer growth.

She wrote: “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.

“To begin with, 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!

“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. I came to understand the implications as I began to read extensively, including medical publications on breast cancer such as Cochrane reports.

“As I read more and attended international conferences, I realised that my longevity after diagnosis depended on my lifestyle. 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.

“That was exactly what I did. I stopped drinking soft drinks. No ‘swallow’ and no bread since 2000! My diet includes vegetables, smoothies, green tea, lemon and ginger tea, beans, moi moi, fish, chicken, snails, occasional rice, and zobo drink.

“Exercise, especially jogging — one of the flagship activities of BRECAN during Pink October — also became part of my healthy lifestyle.

“Connecting with people, especially those with shared experiences, is critical in providing emotional support during the cancer journey. This is one of the reasons I founded BRECAN.

“We now have a community of breast cancer survivors named Team Survivors Nigeria (TSN), which provides psychosocial support for members and showcases that a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. Today, I am proudly a 27-year breast cancer survivor, thriving and still committed to the fight.” (The PUNCH)