Betty Akeredolu’s Dietary Changes in Cancer Battle

Cancer Survival: Betty Akeredolu’s Food Choices

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, has shared insights into dietary changes she adopted to combat breast cancer. Diagnosed 27 years ago, she emphasized the importance of eliminating starchy foods and sugars from her diet, noting that these can fuel cancer growth.

In a social media post marking World Cancer Day 2025, she stated:

“If stopping Coke and other soft drinks, as well as swallowing eba, pounded yam, amala, and akpu, would prolong my life—knowing that starchy foods and sugar fuel the growth of cancer—so be it. That was exactly what I did.”

Since 2000, Mrs. Akeredolu has avoided sugary and starchy foods, opting instead for a diet rich in vegetables, smoothies, green tea, lemon and ginger tea, beans, moimoi, fish, chicken, snail, occasional rice, and zobo drink.

She also highlighted the significance of early detection and a positive mindset in her survival, choosing to seek medical care at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan rather than relying on spiritual healers.

As the founder of the Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria (BRECAN), Mrs. Akeredolu continues to advocate for awareness, early detection, and lifestyle modifications in the fight against breast cancer.