Statistics shared during the discussion highlighted that breast cancer detected early has a survival rate of up to 99 percent.
Medical experts have called for a reset of the public conversation surrounding the recent cancer-related death that sparked widespread debate online. Speaking on Nigeria Info FM, health professionals emphasized that the focus on blood transfusion has overshadowed a far more critical issue — late cancer diagnosis.
During a special broadcast on Nigeria Info, hosted by the station’s General Manager Femi Obong-Daniels, oncologists and public health experts clarified that blood transfusion is not a cure for advanced cancer, particularly when the disease has progressed to Stage 4.
On the panel were Dr. Joseph Udosen; Chief Consultant-General and Breast Surgeon who is also Head, Department of Surgery, University of Calabar and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, as well as Dr. Marcus Inyama Asuquo; a Chief Consultant Haematologist.
According to the panel, Stage 4 cancer indicates that the disease has spread to distant organs, drastically limiting treatment options. At this stage, medical care prioritizes symptom relief and quality of life rather than cure.
Experts explained that while blood transfusions can support patients by managing anemia or fatigue, they do not reverse advanced cancer or change long-term outcomes. Instead, early detection remains the single most effective factor in cancer survival.
Statistics shared during the discussion highlighted that breast cancer detected early has a survival rate of up to 99 percent, while metastatic breast cancer survival drops to around 28 percent.
The panel also raised concerns about how social media narratives and sensational reporting can distort public understanding of medical realities, sometimes placing blame on personal choices rather than systemic healthcare challenges.
Health professionals urged Nigerians to focus on routine screening, public education, and timely medical consultation, stressing that early detection saves lives.
Experts say the real lesson from this case is not about transfusion debates, but the urgent need for awareness, screening, and responsible health communication.
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