The death of beloved Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo has sparked widespread concern about kidney cancer and its early symptoms. In a statement posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, May 13, the actor's family revealed that he passed away on May 11 at Evercare Hospital in Lagos after a battle with advanced metastatic kidney cancer.
In response, medical professionals have stepped forward to educate the public on warning signs that should not be ignored. Doctor Amusa Ayobola, known on Facebook as Doctor Hayor Cares, emphasized the importance of kidney care, noting that kidneys are vital organs. Her advice comes in the wake of Ekubo's death, which has brought renewed attention to this disease.
4 Warning Signs of Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer, specifically renal cell carcinoma, is a relatively uncommon but increasing malignancy in Nigeria. It accounts for 0.3% to 2.3% of all adult cancers, with an estimated incidence of roughly 0.3 per 100,000 population, ranking 20th among cancers in the country. A Lippincott Home publication noted a study showing a 37.2% mortality rate among patients, often due to late presentation.
Dr. Amusa, in a Facebook post on May 14, highlighted warning signs that people should not ignore. These signs include:
- Blood in the urine
- Persistent side or lower back pain
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue or swelling
The doctor also outlined risk factors for kidney cancer, reiterating that these signs should not be overlooked. According to Dr. Amusa, early detection can save lives. She stated: "Some risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, long-term misuse of certain pain medications, and high-dose radiotherapy. Don't ignore the signs. Early detection can save your life. So, do not ignore the symptoms."
General Cancer Signs from Aproko Doctor
Reacting to Ekubo's death, Aproko Doctor, a health influencer, also shared general cancer warning signs. According to him, the four major cancer signs are persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss, changes in physical appearance linked to the illness, and pain that refuses to go away. He said: "If this guy had known the signs early enough—that he was always feeling tired, the unexplained weight loss, the pain that will not go away—maybe he would have gone to the hospital sooner."
In a related story, a UK-based doctor listed six major causes of liver cancer following Ekubo's death. Meanwhile, a lady who lost her brother to kidney cancer took to TikTok to raise awareness about overlooked symptoms. She explained that her brother, a healthy-looking 6'4" man, had a "hollow" cough that lasted for months without cold or flu symptoms. He was hesitant to visit the hospital and continued working as his health declined. Her video gained significant attention after Ekubo's death.
