Marcus Inyama, a medical consultant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, has said that the real issue surrounding the recent demise of Esther Mensah is late diagnosis and not blood transfusion.
The clarification comes as the death of Esther Mensah has sparked intense debate on social media, with many focusing on her refusal to receive a blood transfusion.
However, Inyama said this story was overshadowed by the grim reality: she was battling stage 4 cancer, an incurable condition.
Medical experts emphasize that blood transfusion is not a cure for advanced cancer. When cancer reaches Stage 4 – meaning it has metastasized to distant organs – the prognosis is poor, and the goals of treatment shift from cure to relief.
He explained that stage 4 cancer indicates that the disease has spread beyond its original location to other parts of the body, and said that at this point, survival rates decrease. That said, for metastatic breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is about 28 percent (American Cancer Society, 2022).
According to him, treatment focuses on palliative care, which aims to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life rather than reversing the disease.
Cancer: a global and local challenge
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, taking an estimated 10 million lives in 2020.
In Nigeria, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women, with a 5-year survival rate of 57 percent (Globocan, 2020). However, when detected late, survival rates drop dramatically.
For metastatic breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is about 28 percent (American Cancer Society, 2022). At this stage, treatment focuses on palliative care—managing symptoms and improving quality of life—rather than seeking a cure.
“The issue is not the blood transfusion; it is the late diagnosis,” says Inyama.
“By the time the cancer has metastasized, the focus should be on symptom management and improving quality of life.”
Instead of sensationalizing individual medical choices, the conversation should focus on early detection, he said.
She added, “Regular screening such as mammograms, clinical breast exams, and self-exams greatly improves treatment outcomes. For localized breast cancer, the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent (American Cancer Society, 2022).
He called on journalists to exert immense influence in shaping public perception. Instead of fueling debate on social media, they should collaborate with medical professionals to provide balanced, evidence-based reporting.
“Interviews with oncologists, hematologists and cancer researchers can help the public understand the real challenges—late diagnosis and inadequate screening.
“Let’s shift the conversation from blood transfusions to early detection and prevention,” urges Inyama. “We are grateful to our patients and communities for promoting health awareness.”
key figures
5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer: 99 percent
5-year survival rate for metastatic breast cancer: 28 percent
Estimated deaths from breast cancer in Nigeria (2020): 3,243.
He said Esther Mensah's passing should serve as a wake-up call – not about blood transfusions, but about the urgent need for early cancer detection and public health education.
“By prioritizing awareness and preventive care, we can reduce cancer mortality and improve outcomes for countless lives,” Inyama said.
