I never imagined that a routine check-up would save my life. At 52, I walked into a laboratory clinic feeling invincible—after all, I was “too young” for prostate cancer. But the figures on my Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test told a different story. By August 2023, I’d undergone surgery to remove a tumor that could have killed me. Today, I’m alive because I listened to my body and ignored the whispers of stigma. But far too many Nigerian men aren’t as lucky. This is the message as we mark World Prostate Cancer Day today, 11 June.
Let me start with a hard truth: prostate cancer is eating our men alive. In Nigeria, it’s the most diagnosed cancer among men. Yet, when former United States President Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis made global headlines recently, I wondered: Why don’t African stories like mine get the same urgency? The answer lies in a toxic mix of myths, machismo, and systemic neglect.
Every day, it has been estimated that over 15,000 Nigerian men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. By the time most show up at hospitals, the disease has already spread. Doctors call it “metastatic” — a clinical term that masks the human tragedy: fathers, husbands, and breadwinners reduced to skeletons by pain, their families bankrupted by late-stage treatments. Globally, early detection pushes survival rates above 90%. Here, over half of our men die within five years of diagnosis. Why? Because we’re taught to suffer in silence.
I’ve heard every excuse. “Cancer is for old men”. Yet, I was diagnosed at 53, and I’ve met survivors as young as 45. “Screening is unmanly”. Let me ask: Is collapsing in agony, unable to urinate, more dignified than a 3-5 minutes blood test? Then there’s the cruelest myth of all: “It’s a spiritual attack”. I’ve sat with men who abandoned hospitals for prayer camps, only to return with tumors the size of fists. Faith heals, but it works best with medicine.
Another myth gaining traction, especially online, is the claim that ejaculating 21 times a month can prevent prostate cancer. While a single study once suggested a possible correlation between higher ejaculation frequency and lower risk, no medical body recommends it as a preventive measure. Prostate cancer is complex, influenced by age, genetics, diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Reducing such a serious condition to a sex-count oversimplifies the issue and promotes a false sense of security. The truth? No amount of sexual activity replaces the need for regular screening and medical guidance.
In our cultures, a man’s worth is tied to his strength. Admitting weakness — even to a doctor — feels like surrender. I’ve seen uncles shrug off symptoms for years, dismissing bloody urine as “pepper in the stew” or back pain as “old age”. One friend confided: ‘If I get checked, people will think I’m impotent’. So he waited. By the time he couldn’t walk, the cancer had reached his bones. He died leaving six children.
This silence isn’t just cultural—it’s generational. Elders often normalise suffering: ‘Your grandfather had the same issue — he lived to 90’! But grandpa likely died in agony no one spoke about. Today, we have better tools. Why cling to ignorance?
My turning point came when I took the decision to attend a free screening session organised by Kelina Hospital, Lagos. I had noticed symptoms like back pain and slow urine flow. I could take two to three minutes to pee, and in the next 10 minutes, I would feel the urge to urinate again. I had a feeling there was a blockage in my system but wasn’t sure what it was. I can’t say whether it was divine direction or survival instinct that led me to attend that screening. That opportunity saved my life, and I give all glory to Almighty God. The PSA test and some other awkward tests were done. For men, these tests are often avoided out of fear or fatalism. Yet, Biden’s survival story—like mine—hinges on one word: early.
Let’s be clear: herbs and supplements do not cure cancer. Too many men delay hospital visits because someone told them that pawpaw leaves, soursop tea or juice, guava tea, or a multilevel marketing supplement can “flush out” prostate cancer. These claims are not backed by science. While medicinal plants may support general wellness, there is no clinical evidence that they shrink tumors or stop the spread of cancer. Men who rely on these unproven remedies often show up at the hospital when it’s too late — when the cancer has already spread to the bones or lungs. By then, the battle becomes harder, more painful, and more expensive.
Hope is not in a bottle of herbal tea or a supplement brochure — it’s in early screening and timely treatment. The real power lies in PSA tests, urologist consultations, and evidence-based care. Soursop cannot replace surgery. No leaf can substitute for radiotherapy. Supplements may help your energy, but they cannot cure cancer. Believing otherwise is costing lives. We must stop promoting myths that encourage silence, shame, or fatal delays. The strongest thing a man can do is face the truth early, not hide behind sweet-tasting lies.
Across Nigeria, several notable figures have bravely spoken out about their experiences or scares with prostate cancer. Publisher Mayor Akinpelu of Global Excellence magazine recently shared his survival story. Public figures like Charly Boy, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Prof. Pat Utomi have all reportedly dealt with prostate health challenges. Sadly, some others were not as fortunate. The late Police Commissioner Waheed Ayilara died after a late diagnosis, and it’s been widely alleged that High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, founder of DAAR Communications, may have succumbed to complications arising from prostate cancer. These stories — confirmed or not — should not frighten us but awaken us.
Change starts at home. Wives, mothers, and daughters—you are our secret weapon. Challenge the men you love: “Get tested, or I’ll nag you until you do.” Religious leaders must preach from pulpits: “God gave us doctors for a reason”. And governments? Invest in free screening clinics. Train community health workers. Make PSA tests as common as malaria drugs. In fact at this rate, there should be a national policy on prostate cancer screening like it is being done in Kenya.
To my brothers: this is your battle too. I know what you’re thinking: ‘But I feel fine’. So did I. Prostate cancer is a thief — it strikes without warning. Ignoring it won’t make it disappear. To the young men reading this: Start screenings at 40 if you’re Black. Your risk is higher. To the elders: Lead by example. Your sons are watching.
Cultural pride shouldn’t kill us. Let’s redefine strength: It takes courage to face a doctor, not cowardice to avoid one. Let’s honour ancestors by embracing science, not superstition. And let’s share our stories—not as victims, but as warriors.
As I reflect today — World Prostate Cancer Day, 11 June. I touch the scar on my abdomen, a reminder that survival is possible. But it’s also a call to action. Prostate cancer took part of me, but it gave me a voice. Now, I’m using it to say: Don’t wait. Don’t hide. Don’t let pride steal your future. Your life is worth more than silence. Get screened today.
Olise is a prostate cancer survivor and advocate.
