The death of veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has sparked conversations about cancer.
Former actress and real estate developer Ololade Abuta while mourning Ogogo has now shared her personal experience with cancer.
Abuta revealed that she survived stage-three cancer after undergoing medical treatment. She also lost a sister, friends and associates to the disease. 
Following Ogogo’s death from cancer complications, she urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to unusual changes in their bodies.
Lolade Abuta on Cancer Warning Signs
Abuta said cancer can show symptoms without appearing alarming. She explained that her own cancer reached stage three before doctors diagnosed it. According to her, she noticed changes earlier. However, the symptoms did not immediately appear serious.
She said her cancer was grade two and developed quickly. Therefore, she encouraged people to investigate unusual changes. Abuta also warned against assuming every symptom has a simple explanation.
She cited blood in the stool as an example. Some people may mistake it for piles and resort to traditional remedies. However, she stressed that she does not condemn herbal medicine. She simply advised against relying on it as cancer treatment.
ALSO READ: Doctor Advises Palliative Care for Sick Actor Battling Stage 4 Cancer
How She Treated Her Cancer in Nigeria
Abuta revealed that she received most of her chemotherapy in Nigeria. She said many Nigerians underestimate the country’s cancer specialists and medical facilities.
According to her, she later travelled to the United Kingdom for additional checks. Doctors reportedly confirmed that her treatment was working effectively.
“I can vouch for it, Nigeria has good medical practitioners and oncologists,” she said.
She also urged Nigerians to seek appropriate medical care instead of dismissing local healthcare services.
Abuta Recalls Her Sister’s Cancer Battle
Abuta also shared the painful experience of losing her younger sister to cancer. She said her sister received treatment in Nigeria until the disease reached stage four.
The family reportedly contacted medical facilities in the UK and Israel. According to Abuta, neither country offered a treatment option because she was already at stage four. Abuta said this while referring to Ogogo’s daughter claiming doctors don’t want to treat their father any longer.
However, a hospital in India agreed to treat her sister. Abuta said the family continued paying for treatment in India until her sister eventually died.
She described the experience as particularly painful because the family had prayed extensively for her recovery.
READ ALSO: Cancer Is Not Always Unavoidable: What Raises the Risk and What You Can Actually Prevent
‘Cancer Does Not Always Knock People Down’
Abuta said cancer patients can sometimes appear healthy despite having the disease. She referenced images of Ogogo looking healthy a few months before his death. She said that she saw him at the Ojude Oba held in June.
“Cancer doesn’t knock people down at initial stages,” she said.
She explained that early detection remains important in cancer treatment.
Abuta also encouraged cancer survivors to follow their doctors’ recommendations after treatment. She said follow-up medication and therapies can help reduce the risk of recurrence.
Her Message to Nigerians
Abuta urged people to take unusual bodily changes seriously. She also encouraged Nigerians to combine faith with appropriate medical care.
“Please let’s endeavour to pay attention to anything that looks different in our bodies,” she said.
The former actress added that prayer remains important to her family. However, she said her experiences had taught her not to ignore medical intervention.
Abuta said she remains on treatment despite having the cancer removed. She hopes her experience will encourage others to detect cancer early and seek professional care.
SEE MORE: Ogogo Battled Chronic Stomach Ulcer in 2004, Could His 2026 Cancer Diagnosis Be Connected?
Ololade Abuta was an actress and movie producer before she ventured into real estate business. She featured in few Yoruba movies and produced two movies Madaru in 2008 and Ogiri in 2010.
About The Author
