Media consultant and stage-four breast cancer survivor Chioma Ikejiani has shared her experience with the disease and recovery process, highlighting the need for greater awareness and improvements in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
During a recent interview with Punch, Mrs Ikejiani said she discovered a lump in her breast in 2015 after a routine mammogram.
The test confirmed she had HER2-positive breast cancer, one of the aggressive forms of the disease.
According to her, the diagnosis was unexpected because earlier screenings had come back negative.
“When the result came, I was completely shocked,” she said.
After the diagnosis, Ikejiani said she decided to approach the situation as a project she needed to overcome.
She began treatment immediately, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy in Nigeria before continuing her care in Canada.
She explained that the biopsy was crucial to her survival and she relied on her doctors in both countries.
Her faith, she added, also played an important role in helping her through the experience.
“When I started chemotherapy, I was amazed. I never got seriously sick and actually enjoyed taking time to care for myself,” she said.
Ikejiani praised the accuracy of her diagnosis in Nigeria and said the seamless collaboration between Nigerian and Canadian doctors contributed to her recovery.
However, she recalled the challenges she faced when she returned to Nigeria for treatment in 2016.
“At that time, the cancer ecosystem was poor. Even at the National Hospital, there were no proper coolers, and the process was very challenging,” she said.
She noted that the government had since made improvements, including the establishment of the Cancer Health Fund and the Cancer Access Partnership Programme, which allow patients to obtain medications at reduced rates.
Ikejiani also pointed out that access to genuine drugs has improved, with fewer risks of encountering fake medications.
She, however, said awareness and stigma remain major challenges.
“You can have all the money in the world, but if you don’t know you have cancer, that money is useless. Awareness is key,” she said.
Reflecting on lifestyle choices, Ikejiani emphasised the importance of eating healthy foods, saying organic vegetables are more accessible and affordable in Nigeria than in some other countries.
She advised Nigerians, especially women, to seek medical attention immediately if they notice unusual changes in their bodies.
“If anyone notices a lump or discharge in their breast or cervix, the first step is to authenticate the diagnosis. Don’t wait; ask your doctor immediately what to do,” she said.
Ikejiani encouraged cancer patients to combine faith and science in their recovery journey, stressing that both can work together to achieve healing.
