Pat Utomi Shares His Battle With Cancer As He Reveals Many Men ‘Over 60’ Are Battling The Ailment
Renowned professor of political economy, Pat Utomi, has revealed he has been battling with prostrate cancer.
The 67-year-old don made this revelation in a series of tweets on on the X app, adding that many men of his age are in similar circumstances.
The politician disclosed that he was diagnosed with cancer in 2022 after a biopsy, a procedure to remove a piece of tissue or a sample of cells from the body for testing. He wrote:
“I am moved this dawn of light to confront an epidemic under the carpet with great harm to men. Prostate cancer is bringing death and misery to many men. Had they been forewarned the misery containment and even chances of cure could be much enhanced, like women have with breast CA.”
Speaking about his struggles, Utomi said in the buildup to the 2023 elections, he occasionally visited a cancer centre in Ikeja after campaigns.
He added that whenever he spoke about his struggles with cancer, it dawned on him that many men of his age bracket are also battling the same ailment.
He said once the elections were over, his nephews and cousins who were doctors in Europe and the US joined forces to ensure he received the best medical care and got enough rest. He tweeted further:
“Did not see why it was taboo to say you were in a battle with Cancer. The more I talked about it the more I found many of my age in similar circumstances.
It almost seems like an epidemic for Nigerian men over 60. Not talking makes them lose the benefit of early detection.
Once elections were over, my young nephews and cousins, Doctors in Europe and the US joined forces with the Lakeshore people and decided they wanted me in their direct care. That’s how it seemed. I went quiet cause they controlled my phones to reduce stress.”
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One of the chieftains of the Labour Party (LP), Utomi played a key role in the party’s 2023 presidential campaigns.
In 2022, he stepped down his presidential ambition for Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP. Utomi is the founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership.
In the late ’70s, he was appointed special assistant to then President Shehu Shagari.