Stage 4 Cancer Does Not Mean Death Tomorrow, Nurse Explains Amid Ogogo Reports
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| Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo |
By Victor Olubiye
A Nigerian oncology nurse, Dr. Mutiat Sunshine, has urged the public to seek accurate information about stage 4 cancer amid concerns surrounding reports about veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo.
Sunshine, who said she has more than 20 years of nursing experience and holds a doctorate in Nursing, addressed the issue in a post on her Facebook account.
She said her comments were intended to educate the public about stage 4 cancer and not to offer medical advice to Ogogo or his family, adding that she did not know the details of the actor's diagnosis.
“Stage 4 does NOT mean someone is going to die tomorrow,” she wrote.
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| Dr. Mutiat Sunshine, an oncology nurse who explained what a stage 4 cancer diagnosis generally means |
According to her, stage 4 cancer generally means that cancer has spread from its original or primary site to another part of the body.
She explained that although metastatic or stage 4 cancer is generally not considered curable, it can still be treated depending on the type of cancer and its biology.
She listed chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy and radiation among treatments that may be considered, either individually or in combination.
“The goal may be to control the cancer, slow its progression, manage symptoms, and help the patient live as well and as long as possible,” she said.
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Questions over chemotherapy
Sunshine also addressed reports that Ogogo's family had been told chemotherapy could not proceed.
She said several factors would need to be known before conclusions could be drawn about why chemotherapy might not be an option for a particular patient.
Among the questions she raised was the location of the primary cancer, noting that the type and origin of a cancer are important in determining treatment.
She also pointed to possible factors such as the patient's overall health or frailty, bloodwork, organ function, the likelihood of chemotherapy benefiting the patient, and the availability of certain treatments.
“These are VERY different situations,” she wrote.
Sunshine said that where a medical team determines that a patient's body cannot safely tolerate treatment, care may instead focus on palliative or supportive measures.
Such care, she explained, is aimed at comfort, symptom management, dignity and quality time with family.
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Warning against miracle cures
The nurse also warned families dealing with cancer against people who may exploit their fear and desperation by promoting unproven treatments.
“No herb, tea, supplement, or secret concoction has been proven to cure stage 4 cancer,” she wrote.
She advised families not to allow fear or hope to make them vulnerable to claims of miracle cures.
Sunshine further said that when there is uncertainty about a treatment plan, seeking a second opinion from a qualified medical oncologist could be reasonable.
“A second opinion doesn't mean you don't trust the first doctor. It means you want to understand all available options,” she said.
She concluded by expressing support for Ogogo and his family and praying for strength, wisdom for his medical team and access to the best possible care.
Her broader message was that cancer should not be viewed as a single disease and that the stage of the disease alone does not provide the complete picture of a patient's treatment options.
“Stage 4 is not a treatment plan. The details matter,” Sunshine said.
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