In a heartfelt post shared on her verified X account, Betty Akeredolu Anyanwu, the widow of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, opened up about her profound journey with cancer, intertwining her personal experiences of survival and loss. As the world observed Cancer Day 2025 under the theme “United by Unique,” Betty’s story served as a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring many to take action against this formidable disease.
Betty’s battle with breast cancer began 27 years ago when she was just 44 years old. Unlike many who might succumb to fear and superstition, Betty approached her diagnosis with a determined mindset. Refusing to believe that her illness was the result of spiritual attacks, she sought medical help at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan. Her educational background played a crucial role in her understanding of cancer as a medical issue, and the early stage of her diagnosis—stage 1—offered her a fighting chance.
In her journey, Betty became a voracious reader of medical literature, such as Cochrane publications, which equipped her with knowledge about her condition. This education empowered her to take charge of her health and make significant lifestyle changes that would enhance her longevity. The image of her young children motivated her to embrace a healthier lifestyle, leading her to eliminate sugary drinks and starchy foods from her diet. Instead, her meals became a colorful array of vegetables, smoothies, and lean proteins, complemented by regular exercise, particularly jogging, which she promoted through her organization, BRECAN.
Yet, the journey was not without its heart-wrenching moments. On December 26, 2023, Betty faced an unimaginable loss when her husband, affectionately known as Aketi, succumbed to prostate cancer. This duality of triumph and grief shaped her narrative, revealing the complexity of living in a world where cancer can take both life and health.
Understanding the emotional toll of such experiences, Betty founded the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), which created a community of support for those affected by breast cancer. Through this initiative, she also established Team Survivors Nigeria (TSN), a group dedicated to providing psychosocial support to breast cancer survivors. Betty’s vision was clear—she wanted to show that a breast cancer diagnosis does not equate to a death sentence.
Today, as a proud 27-year breast cancer survivor, Betty continues to thrive and inspire others. Her story is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of education, and the unbreakable bonds formed in the face of adversity. Through her journey, she reminds us that while cancer can bring grief, it can also unite us in our fight for survival, encouraging a community that stands together, united by their unique experiences.
As the world reflects on World Cancer Day 2025, Betty’s message resonates louder than ever: by sharing our stories and supporting one another, we can empower individuals and communities to take action against cancer, fostering hope and healing in the face of life’s greatest challenges.
In a post copied from her page on Thursday, she wrote. “WORLD CANCER DAY 2025: THEME: UNITED BY UNIQUE.
My story:
“My experience with cancer is a mixed grill, of triumph and lately of grief, having defeated breast cancer 27 years ago and just over a year, on December 26, 2023, I lost my husband, Aketi, to prostate cancer. For this conversation, I will tell my story to inform, inspire and empower the public to take action against cancer as an individual or as a community.
“To begin with, the major thing that saved me from untimely death at the age of 44 was my mindset or belief. I didn’t believe that my cancer was caused by anybody let alone by spiritual attack. So I didn’t go to church or spiritualist, I went to University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan. My educational status also enabled me to figure out that cancer is 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 got to know the implication as I began to read voraciously some medical publications on breast cancer such as Cochrane publications etc.
“As I read more and attended international conferences, I understood that my longevity after cancer diagnosis depended on my lifestyle. Looking at my children then and how young they were, I was determined to do everything in my power to live inorder to raise them.
“If stopping drinking coke and other minerals, swallowing eba, pounded yam, amala and akpu would prolong my life knowing that starchy foods and sugar fuel the growth of cancer, so be it. That was exactly what I did. I stopped drinking minerals, no “swallow” and no bread since 2000! My food includes the following: veggies, smoothies, green tea, lemon and ginger tea, beans, moimoi, fish, chicken, snail, occasional rice and zobo drink. Exercise especially jogging, a flagship activity of BRECAN organised during Pink October also became part of my healthy lifestyle.
“Connecting with people especially those with shared experience is critical in bringing emotional support in cancer journey. It is one of the reasons behind founding BRECAN. We now have a community of breast cancer survivors named Team Survivors Nigeria (TSN) for psychosocial support among members and to showcase that breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. Today, I’m proudly a 27 year breast cancer survivor, thriving and still counting!”
Leave a Reply