Tope Osoba, a Nigerian actress, has talked about her fight with breast cancer. She revealed that she found a lump while doing a self-exam.
Initially, her doctor brushed off the lump, saying it was normal for someone her age who has had children.
Thanks to Osoba’s determination, more tests were done, which finally confirmed that cancer was present.
In November 2024, the actress asked for financial help after her first surgery for breast cancer.
In a chat with BBC News Yoruba, Osoba shared her feelings of emotional pain after getting the diagnosis. She worried about the worst outcomes, including possibly losing 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.”
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