Nigerian medical doctor and health educator, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has urged Nigerians to take persistent stomach-related symptoms seriously, warning that some cancers can initially present in ways that resemble ulcers or other common digestive conditions.
His warning followed the death of veteran Nollywood actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, who died on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the age of 66 after battling stage-four cancer.
Ogogo’s illness became public only days before his death after his daughters, Kira and Lima Taiwo, appealed for medical assistance. Reports said the family had been informed that his cancer was at an advanced stage and that doctors could no longer continue chemotherapy.
The family said the actor’s condition had initially been treated as an ulcer before further medical examinations revealed the severity of his illness.
The development has renewed attention on the similarities between symptoms of digestive disorders and some forms of cancer, particularly stomach cancer.
Medical evidence supports the possibility that stomach cancer can produce symptoms that resemble less serious gastrointestinal conditions.
The US National Cancer Institute says stomach cancer may cause indigestion, stomach discomfort, bloating after eating, nausea, loss of appetite and heartburn. More advanced disease can cause stomach pain, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, blood in the stool, difficulty swallowing and jaundice.
The NHS also notes that persistent indigestion can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, including stomach cancer, although indigestion is much more commonly caused by conditions such as acid reflux or a stomach ulcer.
A patient therefore cannot determine the cause of persistent stomach pain or indigestion based on symptoms alone.
Health authorities advise people not to ignore symptoms that persist, worsen or return despite treatment.
The NHS recommends medical evaluation where indigestion does not go away with treatment or abdominal pain keeps recurring. Symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, repeated vomiting, difficulty swallowing, persistent pain or feeling unusually full after eating also warrant medical attention.
Vomiting blood, passing black or bloody stools, or experiencing severe abdominal pain requires urgent medical attention.
The National Cancer Institute similarly advises people experiencing symptoms that could be associated with stomach cancer to consult a doctor, noting that such symptoms can have causes other than cancer.
The warning does not mean that every case of ulcer-like pain is cancer. Stomach ulcers themselves are common and have several established causes, including Helicobacter pylori infection and prolonged use of certain anti-inflammatory painkillers.
However, medical evaluation is important when symptoms persist or fail to respond to appropriate treatment.
The World Health Organisation says cancer is more likely to respond successfully to treatment when detected early and stresses the importance of recognising symptoms, obtaining clinical evaluation and accessing treatment without unnecessary delays.
Ogogo’s case has consequently renewed public discussion about the importance of investigating persistent or unexplained symptoms rather than assuming that recurring stomach pain is simply an ulcer.
While the circumstances surrounding the actor’s diagnosis cannot be used to draw conclusions about other patients, medical experts say persistent symptoms should be properly evaluated so that the underlying cause can be identified and treated appropriately.
