Cancer prevention tips: 5 daily habits a Nigerian influencer swears by

• Nigerian actor Taiwo Hassan's, popularly known as Ogogo stage-four cancer has brought fresh attention to cancer and its impact on Nigerians.

• A Nigerian internet influencer who says he is not a medical professional has shared five "common-sense" habits he believes could help people reduce their cancer risk.

• While some of his suggestions need to be treated cautiously, evidence-backed cancer prevention includes avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, exercising and getting recommended vaccinations.

Cancer can feel like one of those diseases you hear about until it suddenly gets very close to home.

Over the years, Nigerians have watched familiar names battle the disease. Veteran actress Ethel Ekpe died in 2024 after battling cancer, while actress Stella Ikwuegbu also died that year following a battle with leg cancer.

More recently, the news has hit even closer to home for younger Nigerians. Nollywood actor Alexx Ekubo died in May 2026 at 40 after complications from advanced metastatic kidney cancer.

Just this week, news broke that veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, is battling stage-four cancer.

Nigerians have watched several public figures battle cancer, while others have died after living with the disease. 

Against this backdrop, a Nigerian internet influencer, Ebuka (@plantboy.ng), recently shared his own thoughts on cancer prevention.

In a video, he admitted upfront that he is not a doctor but said he had noticed what he believed was an increase in cancer diagnoses among younger Nigerians. He then shared five things he considers "common-sense" ways to reduce his chances of developing the disease.

Some of his suggestions are worth thinking about. Others, however, need a little more context because they are not established cancer-prevention measures.

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The influencer's first suggestion was about sachet water, popularly called "pure water" in Nigeria.

He said that Nigerians who can afford it should consider moving away from sachet water because of concerns about the plastic packaging and possible exposure to microplastics.

But aside from packaging risks, these bags of sachet water are sometimes stored and handled unhygienically, exposing them to dirt, rat droppings and other pollutants.

It's important to note that WHO confirmed that microplastics have been detected in drinking water, but it has also said there is currently insufficient evidence to establish that the levels found in drinking water pose a significant health risk.

Still, choosing properly treated and safely stored drinking water is a sensible health habit. The bigger lesson is to pay attention to the quality and source of the water you consume rather than assuming that every packaged product is automatically safe.

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PlantBoy highlighted that many Nigerian women use several products on their hair, skin and bodies every day and suggested cutting down where possible.

Now, not every cosmetic or beauty product causes cancer, and simply using several products does not mean someone is increasing their cancer risk. But being selective about what you put on your body is hardly a bad idea.

Read labels, follow instructions, avoid products with questionable ingredients or unclear sources and don't feel pressured to use 10 different products simply because social media says you need them.

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This particular problem is peculiar to Nigerians.

We love to smell good, which is great. And sometimes, smelling good means layering two, three or even four fragrances before leaving the house.

The influencer suggested cutting down on perfumes and using them moderately. 

There is no established evidence that simply wearing several perfumes causes cancer. So this should not be presented as a proven cancer-prevention strategy.

But moderation is still a reasonable principle. If a fragrance irritates your skin or causes breathing problems, stop using it and consider speaking with a healthcare professional.

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His fourth suggestion was perhaps the least controversial: spend more time around nature.

He encouraged Nigerians to have a small garden, grow plants on their balconies or simply find ways to incorporate greenery into their everyday surroundings.

He also referred to research suggesting that people who garden and spend time around greenery may experience health benefits.

While gardening itself should not be sold as a way to prevent cancer, staying physically active and maintaining a healthy lifestyle are important. 

Taking a walk in a park or simply getting out of the house can be a useful addition to a healthier lifestyle.

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The biggest takeaway from the influencer's video is that cancer prevention is bigger than sachet water, perfume or skincare products.

According to the WHO and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, about 37% of new cancer cases globally in 2022 were linked to preventable causes.

Tobacco was the biggest preventable cause, followed by infections and alcohol. Other important factors include excess body weight, physical inactivity, air pollution and ultraviolet radiation. 

So if you want to prevent cancer, start by avoiding tobacco, limiting alcohol, eating a healthy diet, staying physically active, maintaining a healthy weight, getting recommended HPV and hepatitis B vaccinations, protecting yourself from excessive UV exposure and seeking medical attention when something feels wrong.

Also, don't wait until you are seriously ill before seeing a doctor.

Cancer is not always preventable, and getting cancer does not mean someone did something wrong. Genetics, infections, age, even toxic relationships and factors outside an individual's control can all play a role.

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