The untold story of cancer survivors and life after treatment

A cancer diagnosis is not just a medical event; it is an existential disruption that ripples far beyond the physical body. Data published in the Journal of Oncology, Navigation and Survivorship reveals a sobering reality: more than 78 percent of Nigerian cancer patients experience significant psychological distress upon diagnosis. This emotional burden manifests as moderate to severe anxiety for roughly 37 percent of patients, while nearly a quarter find themselves grappling with clinical depression.

…Three lives, three different journeys, one shared struggle

For those navigating this landscape, these figures represent more than just clinical data; they reflect a fundamental shift in the architecture of a person’s life.

“Every cancer journey is unique, and behind every statistic is a person with dreams, dignity, and a life worth fighting for.”

Those were the exact words of Gloria Okwu, a nine year cancer survivor, as she shared her story with this reporter.

Okwu was diagnosed in March 2017 after observing a lump on her left breast in August 2016.

“The diagnosis really changed and redirected my life because I didn’t see it coming,” she noted. “At first, it was considered benign until tests, scans, and a biopsy proved otherwise,” she added.

Ugboaja Blessing, another cancer survivor and a medical laboratory scientist who had been in the breast and cervical cancer research space, received her diagnosis in 2022. The news sent shockwaves down her spine on the day she was diagnosed.

“I was devastated when I was diagnosed because nothing prepares you for the news of a cancer diagnosis, especially knowing what it entails, losing your body, your hair, your fertility, money, property, and all,” she emotionally shared while narrating her experience with this reporter.

For Mercy Agu, a young and courageous survivor who was diagnosed just five months after completing her one year voluntary service with the National Youth Service Corps in 2022, it felt like the world around her had stopped and was about to crash after receiving the news.

“When I was first diagnosed, it felt like time paused and everything I thought I knew about my life at that time became uncertain,” she shared.

“There was fear, confusion, and a lot of unanswered questions, and my life changed in many ways, both physically, emotionally, and mentally,” she added.

Agu began to see life differently, appreciating each day of survival more deeply and prioritising what truly matters.

Survival never came easily, as it took days to years of emotional lows, mental strain, and the loss of property, productivity, friends, and time itself for these warriors to come out victorious.

“After the diagnosis, I had to adjust to hospital visits, tests, financial burden, and treatments,” Agu noted. “However, the most difficult parts of the struggle were the emotional weight of the diagnosis and the side effects of the treatment,” she added. Agu experienced days of exhaustion, pain, and moments of doubt during her struggle.

For Okwu, the loss of productive years, energy, relationships, and time, as well as dealing with emotional and mental health challenges, marked her journey. While she was at stage two, the illness metastasised, spreading to other organs, making treatment even more expensive and complicated to handle.

“One day could be fatal, another day could be deadly. I kept fighting for survival every single day,” she noted.“I lost relationships, time, and productive days,” she added. “When cancer spreads to other organs, it becomes life-threatening and more expensive to handle. That was the most difficult part of my journey,” Okwu explained.

For Blessing, the cost of treatment and losing a part of her body which she once cherished were among the most difficult aspects of her journey.

“My most challenging but defining moment was losing a part of my body, my left breast, that I once cherished,” she noted. “I had to source funds on social media, from family, friends, and religious support groups, because you have to be a politician to be able to afford cancer treatment,” she added.

The cost of treatment for these survivors ranged between N12 million and N20 million over 24 months.

“I have lost count of how much I have spent because my treatment ran into several millions and is still ongoing,” Okwu noted.

According to the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, breast cancer treatment ranges between N5 million and N40 million, depending on the complexity and quality of care the patient is willing to access.

“Breast cancer treatment is so high and unaffordable for many Nigerians, as it runs into millions,” noted Prosper Ihezie, chief operating officer of BRECAN.

Survival strategy and advocacy

Family and community support were key survival strategies common to these survivors. Having a strong support system boosted confidence, raised hope, and reduced emotional burden.

Another strategy is early diagnosis and treatment. “Early stage detection saves lives,” noted Stephanie Omoarebun, a public health advocate.

For Blessing, having known the effects of delayed treatment, she commenced treatment immediately.

“After the diagnosis, I swung into action immediately. I spoke to my husband and some family members and started consultations and treatment with the doctors,” she noted.

“I chose to look on the bright side, and today I have become a global advocate for breast cancer, using my story to raise awareness,” she added.

For Okwu, she chose to handle the struggle differently. “I was able to cope because I chose to go through my journey differently. I had a strong support system, asked for help when I needed it, and used my story for advocacy, to the benefit of those currently going through the struggle,” she noted.

“I did not allow the stigma to silence me. I looked past the harm and saw opportunities for advocacy, and today I am in the spotlight, raising awareness across the country,” she added.

Agu turned her pain into hope. With a strong family support system and through her faith, she found the strength to take one step at a time, living each day with prayers and hope in a situation that felt overwhelming.

“What helped me cope was a strong support system, family, friends, and my faith. I found strength in connecting with others who shared similar experiences, and I hoped, prayed, and took it one step at a time,” she noted.

Advice for those newly diagnosed, currently undergoing treatment

These survivors shared advice from their experiences for those newly diagnosed or currently undergoing treatment.

“There will be moments of pain and anxiety, but they are stronger than they think,” Agu noted.

“They should remember that the diagnosis does not define them, and there is still much life ahead to live. Through faith, family support, and treatment, there is light at the end of the tunnel,” she added.