Popular Gospel singer and minister Aduke Ajayi, popularly known as Aduke Gold had on Monday, August 12th, 2024, succumbed to the cold hands of death while undergoing treatment at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, leaving many of her fans and fellow artists in shock.
Shortly after her death, it was adduced that the talented singer had died from complications arising from a fibroid surgery; however, amid the controversies, the late singer’s brother, Pastor Aderogbo, clarified that she died after battling cervical cancer.
“Whoever is saying what is not should just stop that; our daughter was ill; she had cervical cancer, she was taken to UCH Ibadan, and unfortunately, she died. And to the glory of God, she rested on a Monday; all information spreading around is false,” he said.
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is responsible for deaths among women, especially between the ages 15 and 44 years, this is according to the World Health Organisation, which also notes that cervical cancer is the third most common illness in the country, with a record of 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths in 2023.
The health body defines cervical cancer as the growth of cells that start in the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina. Various strains of the human papillomavirus, also called HPV, play a role in causing most cervical cancers.
But, detailing how the virus is gotten, medical practitioner and UK-based doctor, Titilope Adesanya (MBBS, MRCGR) told TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) that “Cervical cancer is mostly caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus is sexually transmitted. Once a person gets the virus, just like most viruses, the body can get rid of it. Unfortunately, some persons can become unlucky, and this virus alters the cells of the cervix.”
Speaking on the causes of cervical cancer, Adesanya explained that long-lasting (persistent) infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV) causes cervical cancer.
She added that cervical cancer is prevalent amongst younger women, (one) because of the increased number of partners or when a woman become sexually active at a very young age.
She said, “It’s mostly common amongst women age less than 45, the increase amongst younger women can be explained by an increase in multiple sexual partners, becoming sexually active at a very young age.”
Speaking about the early signs and symptoms of Cervical cancer, Adesanya states that when the infected person begins to percieve an unusual odour after sexual intercourse, increase vaginal discharge and bleeding outside one’s regular periods, then these are signs that the person has the virus.
“Early signs include bleeding after sexual intercourse, Increased vaginal discharge with an unusual odour, bleeding outside your normal periods, bleeding after menopause. Anyone with these are usually advised to contact their health provider. It might just be one out of all of these”she said.
For preventive measures, the doctor advised young women to get vaccinated against the virus (HPV) before getting sexually active.
“I would advise getting vaccinated against this virus (HPV). This has now been included in the immunisation schedule, and it’s advised to be vaccinated before being sexually active.”
She also stressed that getting screened at the age of 25 to 60 years every 3-5 years is another preventive step to take in detecting precancerous cells.
“Another way is by getting screened; women are advised to undergo screening from age 25 to 60 years every 3-5 years; this technically aims at detecting the precancerous cells, and once detected, they can be removed,“ she said.
Other preventive measures include abstinence, the use of condoms, and living a generally healthy lifestyle like avoiding smoking.
With the recent deaths and that of the gospel singer being the most tragic, Adesanya emphasized the need to reduce the growing rates of cervical cancer death amongst women in Nigeria.
According to the medical doctor, educating women about the need to get vaccinated and screened is the first and critic step to be taken.
She said, “Most people don’t know about this. Once enlightened, they understand the need to get vaccinated and screened. Once a woman is sexually active or above age 25, they are then advised to go for screening programmes. The government also has a role to play by raising awareness campaigns to educate women and also organising free screening programmes for these women.”
Who’s Aduke Gold?
Aduke, known for her soulful voice and uplifting gospel messages, broke into limelight with her song, “Nitori Ogo”, which translates to mean “Because of Glory”.
Some of her top songs on Apple Music are Shina Ayo, No Be Joke, Temidayo, Gbemiga and Kobo, her latest release.
Aduke, a native of Osun State, bagged her first degree in History and International Relations from the Lagos State University (LASU).
She is an internationally certified child educator with a higher degree in Child Psychology and a Diploma in Montessori method of education from the United Kingdom.
She has other diploma’s in Special Education, Aquaculture, Cake making, Cookery and Decoration, Music rudiment, business, and piano respectively.
She is also gifted in dealing with children with special needs like autism, cerebral palsy and dyslexia.