Friday, February 28, 2025 - Tope Osoba, the Nigerian actress, has opened up about her battle with breast cancer, sharing how she first detected a lump during a self-examination.
At first, her doctor dismissed the lump, attributing it to her childbearing age.
However, due to Osoba's persistence, additional tests were conducted, which
ultimately confirmed the presence of cancer.
In November 2024, the actress begged for financial assistance after
undergoing her first breast cancer surgery.
In an interview with BBC News Yoruba, Osoba opened up about the
emotional distress she endured after receiving the diagnosis, fearing the
worst, including the potential loss of her breast.
She said: “The doctor had earlier told
me that I would be placed on medication for five years and, during that period,
I must not conceive. At the time, I was 39 years old. I discovered the issue
one day while touching my body. I felt something on my breast resembling a bean
that hadn’t been there before.
“Concerned, I went to a private hospital,
where the doctor assured me nothing was wrong. The doctor attributed it to the
fact that I was at the stage of childbearing but had neither conceived nor
breastfed a baby. I initially accepted the doctor’s explanation and went home,
but I remained uneasy because my hand kept going to that spot.
“Over time, I noticed it grew larger, making
me even more uncomfortable. I got a test, and the results showed it was a lump.
It was removed, and I believed everything was fine. However, when further tests
were conducted at the hospital, it was discovered to be breast cancer.
“The day I received the diagnosis was one
of the worst days of my life. I couldn’t believe I had such an illness. I
started worrying—would my breast be removed? Would I die despite all my
struggles, having no mother or father to support me? I began praying to God,
acknowledging that while I wasn’t deeply religious, I had never wished anyone
harm.
"When I returned to the hospital, they
recommended a CT scan to determine if the cancer had spread. Thankfully, the
results returned negative, showing only a few remaining particles. The doctor
informed me that another surgery would be needed but assured me that my breast
would not be removed.
“God surprised me again when the doctor
said I wouldn’t need chemotherapy, only radiation. When the treatment started,
I was given a bill, and I worried about how I would afford it. I reached out to
colleagues and others. Some responded, while others did not.
“Eventually, I contacted Actress Foluke
Daramola, who helped by reaching out to people on my behalf. She later informed
me that the response was not massive because many people didn’t know me. That
was why I decided to make a video showing my face to the public. Through it
all, I received the help I needed, and by God’s grace, I am now free from
breast cancer.”
VIDEO: How I discovered I had breast cancer - Tope Osoba
— The Nation Nigeria (@TheNationNews) February 28, 2025
Actress Tope Osoba has recounted her experience with breast cancer, revealing how she discovered a lump in her breast through self-examination.
At first, her doctor dismissed the lump, attributing it to her childbearing… pic.twitter.com/FRoxpHzFbC
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