Afolaranmi pursued his education at the University of Oxford following his 2019 graduation as the top student from the University of Ibadan College of Medicine.

At the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, he pursued an MSc in Integrated Immunology he was awarded the Oxford Clarendon Scholarship.

From University of Ibadan to Oxford and Cancer Research UK

During his MSc research at the Oxford Department of Oncology, he worked with Dr Eileen Parkes’ group. His research explored cGAS-STING immune signalling in cancers with ineffective DNA repair machinery and looked at how researchers could modify the pathway for better cancer treatments.

Afolaranmi later joined the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, where he now researches the Hedgehog pathway and its influence on natural killer cells.

READ ALSO: Ogogo: Doctor Advises Palliative Care for Sick Actor Battling Stage 4 Cancer

Afolaranmi Researching How Natural Killer Cells Fight Cancer

Natural killer cells can identify and destroy tumour cells. Afolaranmi’s research looks at how scientists can make these immune cells more effective at fighting cancer and how they could use them to develop better cancer treatments.

His work also reflects his interest in Africa. Afolaranmi hopes future cancer treatment breakthroughs will reach patients in Africa, while also helping to develop the next generation of young African scientists.

He co-founded The Ganglion Initiative, which offers career assistance, mentorship, and scholarship possibilities to students in Nigeria. The effort has helped over 8,000 pupils.

READ ALSO: Cancer Is Not Always Unavoidable: What Raises the Risk and What You Can Actually Prevent

Afolaranmi stated that Green Templeton College became a significant element of his Oxford experience, particularly as an overseas student studying during the pandemic. He appreciated the kind and welcoming environment, as well as the resources provided for studying and socialising.

Away from medicine and research, Afolaranmi enjoys music, travelling and climbing. He also enjoys exploring the historic city of Oxford.

The post Dr Oluwasegun Afolaranmi Takes Cancer Research Journey from Nigeria to the UK appeared first on NBG Africa.

The disease affects families, public figures and ordinary people from every walks of lives. When a well-known person dies from cancer, the same questions often return: What causes cancer? Could it have been prevented? And what can an ordinary person do to reduce the risk?

There is no single answer. The issue goes beyond blaming one food, habit or lifestyle.

Cancer is not one disease. It describes a large group of diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Each type has its own causes and risk factors.

Several factors can increase a person’s risk. These include certain behaviours, environmental exposure, infections, ageing and inherited genetic changes. In some cases, doctors cannot identify one clear cause.

That is why cancer prevention cannot follow a single formula.

A Significant Number of Cases Can Be Prevented

Prevention does not guarantee that a person will never develop cancer. Instead, it focuses on reducing exposure to factors that increase the risk of certain cancers.

A 2026 analysis from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer found that 37% of new cancer cases worldwide in 2022, about 7.1 million cases, involved preventable causes.

Tobacco accounted for the largest share. It contributed to about 15% of all new cancer cases. Cancer-causing infections followed at 10%, while alcohol accounted for 3%.

Those figures do not mean that cancer always results from personal choices. They show how much prevention could achieve.

The Risks People Can Reduce

Smoking remains one of the clearest preventable cancer risks.

Tobacco smoke contains chemicals that can damage cells and cause cancer in several organs. People who quit smoking can lower their risk, even after years of tobacco use.

Alcohol creates another preventable risk. Regular consumption increases the risk of several cancers, with heavier consumption generally carrying greater risk.

Other factors also matter. Excess body weight, physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, air pollution and ultraviolet radiation can increase cancer risk.

This is why cancer prevention should not revolve around one particular food. No diet can guarantee protection from cancer.

A healthier approach combines several habits. Avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight and reducing exposure to known carcinogens can all lower risk.

Some Cancer Risks Come From Infections

Infections deserve particular attention in Nigeria and other countries where certain diseases remain common.

The World Health Organization identifies human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B, hepatitis C and Helicobacter pylori among infections that can increase cancer risk.

HPV can cause cervical cancer. Hepatitis B and C can increase the risk of liver cancer.

Vaccination offers protection against some of these risks. The HPV vaccine helps prevent HPV-related cancers, while hepatitis B vaccination reduces the risk of infection that can later contribute to liver cancer.

Doctors can also manage some cancer-causing infections through early diagnosis and treatment.

WHO estimates that cancer-causing infections account for about 30% of cancer cases in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

This makes cancer prevention more than a personal lifestyle issue.

Healthcare access, vaccination programmes and public health policies also matter.

What Cancer Looks Like in Nigeria

Nigeria already carries a significant cancer burden. Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) estimates show that the country recorded 127,763 new cancer cases and 79,542 cancer deaths in 2022.

The cancer burden also differs between Nigerian men and women. Prostate cancer had the highest number of new cases among Nigerian men. Colorectal and liver cancers followed.

Among women, breast cancer ranked first. Cervical and colorectal cancers followed. These figures show why one cancer strategy cannot address every case.

Different cancers require different approaches to prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Not Every Cancer Can Be Prevented

This is one part of the cancer conversation that often gets overlooked.

Healthy habits cannot guarantee complete protection. A person can avoid smoking, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet and still develop cancer.

Age remains an important risk factor. Inherited genetic changes can also increase a person’s chances of developing certain cancers.

Biological changes can create another layer of uncertainty. Sometimes doctors cannot trace a cancer diagnosis to one specific exposure or behaviour.

For that reason, blaming patients for their illness is wrong. Prevention lowers risk. It does not create immunity.

SEE ALSO: Nollywood Mourns Temitope ‘Tope’ Osoba, Who Dies at 40 After a Cancer Battle

Early Detection Can Make a Difference

Prevention represents only one part of the fight against cancer.

Early detection can also improve treatment outcomes. WHO says doctors can cure many cancers when they find them early and provide appropriate treatment.

Persistent or unusual symptoms therefore deserve medical attention. Screening also has an important role, but the right test depends on factors such as age, sex, family history and individual risk. Doctors do not recommend every screening test for everyone.

A person should also avoid dismissing an unusual change simply because it does not cause pain.

So, Can Cancer Be Avoided?

Sometimes. Not completely.

Recent WHO and IARC evidence provides a clearer picture. Individuals and governments can reduce many of the risks that contribute to cancer.

Another IARC study published in 2026 estimated that prevention, earlier detection and better treatment could have prevented 48% of cancer deaths among people diagnosed with cancer in 2022.

That figure does not mean that nearly half of cancer patients could simply have avoided the disease.

Instead, it shows the potential impact of reducing known risks, finding cancer earlier and improving treatment.

Individuals can take known risk factors seriously and seek medical advice when necessary.

Governments and health systems also have a role. Better vaccination, screening, diagnosis and access to effective treatment can change outcomes.

Cancer will not disappear because people eat better or exercise more.

However, people can still take meaningful steps to lower their risk.

Some risks can be reduced. Some cancers can be prevented. Doctors can detect others earlier. Understanding the difference may save lives.

READ ALSO: Breaking: Nollywood Actor Taiwo Hassan Ogogo Dies After Battle With Stage 4 Cancer, Burial Arrangements Announced

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The veteran actor battled a severe stomach condition in 2004. His illness became so serious that he could barely stand or speak.

On Monday, August 17, Ogogo’s daughter via her social media account announced to the teeming fans of her father that the veteran actor has been diagnosed with stage four cancer.

Following reports of another health challenge, questions have emerged about his previous medical ordeal. However, there is currently no confirmed medical evidence linking the two conditions.

Ogogo’s terrifying 2004 health crisis

During his 2004 illness, several rumours circulated about Ogogo’s condition. Some claimed he had swallowed illicit substances which burst in his stomach and caused him complications. Others alleged he had contracted HIV/AIDS or suffered a terminal illness.

Ogogo later dismissed the rumours after he got healed. He revealed his actual diagnosis. According to the actor, doctors at King Solomon Hospital diagnosed him with chronic stomach ulcers.

He recalled vomiting blood for seven months during the ordeal. Consequently, he lost so much weight that people struggled to recognise him. The condition also affected his ability to eat normally. For years, he reportedly survived mainly on pap.

He described the period as one of the scariest experiences he had faced.

READ ALSO: Omotunde Ogundimu Reveals Cervical Cancer Diagnosis, Appeals for Financial Help

Surgery and 7 years of treatment

Ogogo later sought treatment at several medical facilities. A scan reportedly revealed an injury to his intestine. He also told doctors about his use of lime and malaria medication.

The actor eventually underwent surgery to address the condition. However, he said the procedure further complicated his health struggles. Ogogo revealed that he explored different treatment options during his recovery. He also received prayers from people in Nigeria and abroad, even witches and wizards, according to him.

At one point, he feared that he might not survive the illness and even doubted God’s existence. The experience became so overwhelming that he said in an interview that he discarded his gold tooth connected to his holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

Despite the ordeal, Ogogo eventually recovered and returned to acting.

Ogogo: Could past illness be connected to his cancer diagnosis?

Ogogo’s previous illness was serious and lasted for seven years. However, his current health challenge requires fresh medical assessment. Reports about his present condition have raised concern among fans and colleagues.

His daughter recently appealed for information about reputable medical facilities that could help him. Still, it would be premature to link his current condition directly to his 2004 illness. Only his doctors can determine whether there is any medical connection.

For now, Ogogo’s earlier battle remains a powerful account of resilience. His recovery also highlights the importance of seeking professional medical care during serious health challenges.

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In a recent Instagram video, the cleric described the experience as one of the most difficult periods of his life. He revealed that he spent several months in the US receiving treatment after doctors discovered cancer in his body.

Oritsejafor said doctors initially feared the cancer had spread and believed his condition was critical.

“They said the cancer had spread and there was no hope. When I got to America, the doctors examined me and said there was cancer in my body, but they could not operate immediately because certain things were not right,” he said.

According to him, doctors advised him to return after three months for another examination.

He said, “I asked the doctor if three months was not too long, but he insisted that I should go home and return later.”

Despite being in severe pain, Oritsejafor said he continued attending church activities and helping people during the church’s jubilee celebration.

“I came back during our jubilee celebration. I danced, received visitors, and continued serving God. Nobody knew I was in pain or battling cancer,” he said.

READ ALSO: 5 Nigerian Celebrities Who Died After Battling Cancer

After the celebration, he travelled back to the United States for further treatment.

Oritsejafor explained that later tests showed the cancer had not spread to his bones. He said this gave doctors hope that treatment could still succeed.

According to him, the doctor who examined his bones was also a Pentecostal pastor.

“The doctor came back dancing after the test results. He told me there was no cancer in my bones and said I was going to overcome it,” he said .

The cleric said he spent several months on a hospital bed before doctors discharged him.

Oritsejafor also revealed that he later developed a mysterious infection that doctors had never encountered before.

“They said they had never seen the infection before and did not know where it came from,” he said.

Doctors reportedly considered another surgery, but one senior doctor warned that another operation could be fatal.

According to Oritsejafor, the doctor requested two days to search for possible treatment options.

He said the doctor later returned with antibiotics. The first medication failed to work after several days, but the second antibiotic eventually improved his condition.

“By the fourth day, the second antibiotic started working. The doctor said it was incredible,” he added.

Oritsejafor also praised a man identified as Bayo, who stayed with him throughout the difficult period despite hospital warnings about the risks involved.

The cleric disclosed that his medical bills rose to about $120,000 during the treatment.

ALSO READ: 5 Companies That Were Sued For Causing Cancer

The post Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor Speaks on His Cancer Battle and Rare Infection in US appeared first on NBG Africa.

1. Starbucks

In 2010, the Council for Education and Research on Toxics (CERT) filed a lawsuit against Starbucks in California under Proposition 65. The group argued that coffee contained acrylamide, a chemical that forms during roasting, and claimed the company failed to warn consumers about possible cancer risks.

Coffee beans produce acrylamide during roasting, and other foods also produce it when cooked at high temperatures.

In 2019, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment introduced a “coffee regulation” that stated coffee does not pose a significant cancer risk that requires warning labels. This development strongly influenced the case.

By 2022, the court ruled in favor of Starbucks and other coffee companies, stating that coffee does not require cancer warnings under Proposition 65.

2. Banana Boat

Banana Boat faced legal action after independent tests detected benzene, a known carcinogen, in some sunscreen batches. Plaintiffs claimed the company sold contaminated products to consumers.

Edgewell Personal Care Company later recalled three batches of Banana Boat sunscreen after the discovery.

Investigators found benzene in Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Spray SPF 30. Benzene exposure has no safe level, and people can absorb it through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Health authorities link benzene exposure to cancers such as leukemia and bone marrow disorders.

Reports confirmed that benzene did not appear as an ingredient in the product. Instead, investigators traced it to contamination in the propellant used in aerosol sprays.

3. Cheerios

Cheerios faced lawsuits after reports showed traces of glyphosate in oats. Plaintiffs argued that the herbicide links to cancer risks and claimed manufacturers failed to warn consumers.

An environmental group reported glyphosate residues in Cheerios, which raised concerns about child safety.

Debate continues around glyphosate safety. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen in 2015.

However, in 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a draft assessment that stated glyphosate likely does not cause cancer in humans.

4. Old Spice

Old Spice and other brands under Procter & Gamble faced lawsuits after reports claimed that some aerosol products contained benzene contamination. Plaintiffs said consumers unknowingly exposed themselves to a cancer-causing chemical.

Multiple class action lawsuits accused Procter & Gamble of selling body sprays that contained undisclosed benzene in brands such as Old Spice, Secret, Power Stick, and Right Guard.

The lawsuits also argued that the company misled consumers by not disclosing benzene contamination in product labeling.

ALSO READ: 6 Promising Cancer Breakthroughs in 2026 You Should Know About

5. Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson faced major lawsuits after plaintiffs claimed its talc-based baby powders contained asbestos contamination. They argued that long-term use of the product led to cancers such as mesothelioma.

Regulators previously pushed for stricter testing of talc products for asbestos, a known carcinogen linked to lung cancer, ovarian cancer, and mesothelioma.

Although regulators later withdrew a proposed rule, public health concerns remained.

Johnson & Johnson removed its talc-based baby powder from the North American market in 2020 after years of litigation and allegations that the company knew about potential asbestos risks in its talc supply.

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They are dressed in humility, padded with gratitude, softened with appeals for patience, but at their core, they are acts of preservation, not contrition. That type is what social media personality Blessing CEO has served the public enraged by her scam-adjacent conduct as it relates to her claim of having cancer.

About midday on Wednesday, she apologized without being sorry, when she posted a statement on her verified Facebook page. On the surface, the statement reads like a climbdown. “I am sorry,” she says, repeatedly, almost insistently. Apologies, however, are not measured by frequency, but by weight. The one issued by Blessing CEO curiously has no weight. It acknowledges “drama,” “embarrassment,” and “controversy,” yet carefully sidesteps what exactly she is sorry for, which is the central issue.

There is no clear admission of wrongdoing. No direct reckoning with the sequence of events that led to public outrage. Instead, the language drifts, vague and evasive, as though the real offence were not deception or manipulation, but merely the inconvenience of public reaction. It is the linguistic equivalent of bowing without bending.

More telling is the pivot. Almost immediately after the apology comes the promise of more content. Scan results will be uploaded. Biopsy details will follow. The audience will be “carried along.” It is a production rather than a moment of accountability. It is a continuation of a narrative strategy. The same audience that was drawn into a swirl of claims is now being invited to stay tuned for the next instalment. Why promise scans and biopsy results that could be posted immediately, if the intention is to clarify rather than to sustain suspense?

This is where the mask slips. Genuine remorse seeks closure. It does not extend the spectacle or turn a controversy into a series. Blessing, however, is minded to repackage the matter as a journey, complete with updates and engagement hooks. The apology becomes not an end, but a bridge to further attention.
Then there is the matter of refunds. On its face, it appears responsible, even generous. But it raises more questions than it answers. Why were contributions solicited under such opaque circumstances in the first place? Why is the burden now on individuals to request their money back? A truly accountable response would not require a digital chase through DMs and WhatsApp messages. It would confront the issue head-on, with clarity and structure.

Perhaps the most revealing line is the insistence: “I did not lie.” It is a defensive reflex, not a reflective one. People who understand the depth of public distrust do not rush to assert their innocence; they demonstrate it. They recognise that credibility, once fractured, is not repaired by declaration but by evidence, consistency, and time. That insistence is further weakened by how her claims unravelled under questioning during her interview on Arise, where contradictions, evasions, and shifting explanations exposed the very gaps she now denies exist.

What emerges from this statement is not the voice of someone reckoning with their actions, but that of someone attempting to regain control of a narrative slipping out of their hands. It is an apology crafted to calm, to stall, to redirect, but not to confront.
Nigerians, increasingly, can tell the difference. This is not outrage for outrage’s sake, but the reaction of a public that has grown weary of being treated as an audience to be managed rather than a people to be respected. An apology, in such a context, must do more than sound right. It must be right.

The opinions expressed in this story are the author’s and not NBG Africa’s.

SEE ALSO: Blessing CEO and the Theft of Suffering

The post Blessing CEO Apologises Without Being Sorry appeared first on NBG Africa.

Some therapies are achieving remarkable outcomes, including complete tumour elimination in animals and high response rates in patients.

Although a universal cure for cancer remains elusive, these developments are providing real hope and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in medicine.

Here’s a list of the most promising recent breakthroughs in 2026.

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6 Cancer Treatments and Breakthroughs

1. Pancreatic Cancer: Spanish Triple-Drug Therapy

Researchers in Spain at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) (Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas) have developed a combination of three drugs that completely eliminated pancreatic tumours in mice.

This treatment also prevented resistance from developing, meaning the tumours did not come back.

While this is a preclinical study (tested in mice, not humans), it is a promising breakthrough that could lead to future human trials.

However, scientists emphasise that it is not yet a cure for people.

2. Colon Cancer: Korean Experimental Research

Scientists in South Korea have been exploring ways to reverse colon cancer using advanced cellular therapies.

While these are still experimental and mostly in early research stages, some studies have shown major tumour reduction in models of colon cancer.

This research is promising, but it is not yet available as a treatment for patients.

3. Colorectal and Lung Metastases: Chinese Studies

Chinese researchers are investigating treatments for metastatic colorectal and lung cancers.

Studies have shown that certain therapies can slow tumour growth or even partially reverse metastases in early trials.

These findings are encouraging, especially for cancers that have spread, but more research is needed to confirm effectiveness in humans.

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4. Blood Cancer and Leukemia: Vietnam

Vietnamese hospitals have successfully applied therapies like CAR-T cell treatment to patients with certain types of blood cancers, including leukemia.

Some patients have achieved complete remission, showing the high potential of this approach. This therapy is already in use globally for specific blood cancers.

5. HPV-Related Cancers: Mexico

Research in Mexico is improving treatment for cancers linked to HPV, such as cervical cancer.

While preventive vaccines remain the most effective tool, advances in therapies for existing HPV-related cancers are promising and could lead to better patient outcomes in the future.

6. Immunotherapy: Monoclonal Antibodies

Immunotherapy continues to show remarkable results. Drugs like dostarlimab have led to complete responses in certain rectal cancer patients. While this does not work for all cancers, it highlights the power of the immune system when harnessed correctly.

Key Takeaways

• Most recent breakthroughs are experimental or preclinical, meaning more studies are needed before they become widely available.
• Some therapies, especially immunotherapy and CAR-T cell treatments, have already shown high success rates in specific patients.
• Preventive strategies, like vaccines for HPV, remain crucial.
• Worldwide research is accelerating, but there is no single universal cure for cancer yet.

These developments show hope for the future as scientists are learning more about how to target cancer effectively, and each breakthrough brings us closer to better treatments for everyone.

The post 6 Promising Cancer Breakthroughs in 2026 You Should Know About appeared first on NBG Africa.