Many people may not know this yet, but, Professor Wole Soyinka was diagnosed with prostrate cancer in 2014 and in a recent interview, he has narrated how his journey has been.
The Nobel Laureate had gone for a routine medical check-up in 2014 when the doctor asked him to take more tests. It was then that Soyinka was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer.
That was five years ago. Since then, after undergoing successful treatment, the 85-year-old is in good health.
Speaking with BBC, the professor says he takes pretty good care of himself and loves spending time outdoors.
However, on how he took cared of the frightening ailment, the renowned dramatist stated that he used advanced technology, ‘proton therapy’ to treat it. He added that the treatment was an easy ride but was not uncomfortable.
He said, “It hadn’t yet gotten to the stage where it was non-reversible and so (the doctor) gave us a number of guidelines. I say us because he wanted to make sure that my wife made sure that I followed it. He sensed that I wasn’t going to be a very good patient. So he spoke to her most of the time rather than me”.
“There is no disease in the world any human being needs to be ashamed. I don’t see why people need to go to Canada, Europe to receive treatment which is affordable in this nation, it is a shame.”
“The options I compared to other treatment I know about and I have seen in operation. Mine for me was an easy ride, uncomfortable in many ways but it is painless.”
Soyinka recalled that it seemed hard at first but he said to his wife: “Don’t worry. We are going to fight this together.”
Lastly, he said, ‘cancer is not a death sentence.’ To fight it requires ‘labour of willpower. Some hard labour is involved but ultimately, you can be victorious.”
Watch the full interview here.
