A medical doctor, Olusina Ajidahun, has advised the family of veteran Nigerian actor Ogogo, also known as Taiwo Hassan, to work closely with his medical team and consider palliative care as he battles stage 4 cancer.
The doctor, who shared his views on X through the account @the_beardedsina, also cautioned against using herbal concoctions to treat advanced cancer.
He explained that some statements from Kira and Lima, Ogogo’s daughters, could create the wrong impression about the medical team caring for her father. 
The doctor stressed that he had no connection with Ogogo’s family or medical team and described himself as an independent observer commenting on the situation.
Doctor clarifies meaning of ‘They don’t want to treat my father’
Dr Ajidahun criticised the statement, “They don’t want to treat my father again,” and warned that people could misinterpret it.
According to him, such a statement could make people believe that the doctors had deliberately abandoned the actor instead of recognising that his condition might require a different approach to care.
He explained that doctors often explore chemotherapy and other cancer treatments when they believe those treatments can benefit a patient.
However, when a patient reaches an advanced stage of cancer and doctors can no longer control the disease through curative treatment, medical teams can focus on “palliative care”.
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The doctor explained that palliative care focuses on managing symptoms, reducing pain and discomfort, supporting the patient and improving their quality of life.
He said families should understand the difference between stopping a particular cancer treatment and stopping care altogether.
He also warned that statements suggesting that doctors have refused to treat a patient could create unnecessary tension between families and healthcare workers, particularly amid existing concerns about Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Doctor warns against herbal remedies for stage 4 cancer
The doctor also urged people not to recommend herbal remedies as a cure for stage 4 cancer.
He rejected the idea that herbal concoctions could cure stage 4 cancer and warned that unverified remedies could cause additional health problems.
According to him, some herbal mixtures could damage other organs, create further complications and waste the family’s money without treating the cancer.
He therefore encouraged the family to follow professional medical advice rather than turn to unproven treatments.
What stage 4 cancer means
Dr Ajidahun also explained what stage 4 cancer means. He noted that it occurs when cancer spreads beyond the organ where it started to other parts of the body.
At that stage, doctors assess the extent of the disease and determine the most appropriate way to manage the patient.
The doctor encouraged Ogogo’s family to maintain open communication with his medical team and work together to provide the best possible care.
He also urged the family to focus on the actor’s comfort and quality of life while following the advice of his healthcare providers.
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