Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Tuesday in Abeokuta gave a shocking revelation of how he was diagnosed as having prostate cancer December last year and was cured of it about two months ago.
He made the disclosure at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, while addressing journalists at a press conference tagged ‘Beyond Ebola and Beyond reign of the Silent Killer,’ which was meant to create awareness on cancer.
His word: “In December last year, I discovered that I had cancer, we were making sure that, that was what it was before going for the other tests and once it was confirmed, I was sure because in my family, we had an uncle, at a time who died mysteriously as far as we were concerned.
“His death was attributed to a lot of things. From what I know about cancer, I came to a conclusion that he died of cancer; maybe we have it in our family.
“Let me emphasize this: a lot of people know that I am a private person. I believe certain territories of every individual should be private to the individual and to his family, colleagues and it is only when it is of public interest that you probe into people’s hut.
“For me, it is not a decision that I am happy with but I felt I have all obligation being a member of Africa Cancer Centre and also having donated during the festival of fund raising for cancer. I felt I owe people obligations to make it known and also to demystify cancer that many people feel is death sentence.
“Family, friends and colleagues begin to look at you as if you are a ghost just because you have cancer. No, cancer is not a death sentence, it is curable and I have undergone treatment and I am able to tell you that ,even I have a medal to show for it.
‘’You know I do not normally wear decoration, but I should be wearing this jacket at will. That is my certificate that I underwent an important treatment. It is destructive anyway but finally, I finished on October 28. As I have said, it was discovered in December last year. Everything is fine and I want to use myself to encourage others to take whatever test available to you in our limited circumstances, but more importantly, to encourage those who are in-charge of this matter to take seriously the cancer menace which many people and I call silent killer,” he said.
The literary icon also gave a hint about how he survived it.
He said, “I have to drink a lot of water. The most painful part of it, as many of you know, is that water and I are not very good friends. I don’t enjoy drinking water.”
Congratulation!!!!