Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the spouse of a former Ondo State governor, shared her 27-year journey battling breast cancer. She attributes her survival to timely medical care, dietary adjustments, and a positive mindset.
In her statement, Anyanwu-Akeredolu revealed her cancer diagnosis at 44 and stressed the importance of seeking medical help at University College Hospital in Ibadan. She underlined the significance of early detection, mentioning that her cancer was caught at Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. She credits her education for helping her understand that cancer requires medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
Motivated to live for her children, she made significant changes to her diet, eliminating starchy foods and sugar which she believes promote cancer growth.
While reflecting on her journey, she expressed a mix of triumph and grief, having overcome breast cancer but later losing her husband to prostate cancer. She emphasized the role of mindset and belief in her recovery, choosing medical intervention over spiritual remedies.
An advocate for healthy living, she embraced a diet rich in vegetables, smoothies, green tea, and lean proteins while incorporating exercise into her routine. She highlighted the importance of emotional support from others with shared experiences, leading her to establish a community of breast cancer survivors known as Team Survivors Nigeria (TSN) through her foundation, BRECAN.
Today, she proudly stands as a 27-year breast cancer survivor, actively engaged in the fight against the disease.