Popular health influencer and content creator Dr. Chinonso Egemba, better known as Aproko Doctor, has issued a warning that some cancers can develop silently, with symptoms often mistaken for common illnesses like ulcers.

His comments came in response to public questions about how veteran actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, could have been diagnosed with stage-four cancer despite appearing healthy weeks before his death.

In a series of posts on his X handle (formerly Twitter), Aproko Doctor emphasized that looking healthy does not always mean the body is free from serious illness. He explained that some conditions, such as stomach cancer, can present symptoms commonly associated with ulcers, which may lead to misdiagnosis if not properly investigated.

He urged people not to dismiss persistent symptoms like stomach pain, unexplained weight loss, repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, difficulty swallowing, and feeling unusually full.

He advised that if symptoms keep returning despite treatment, it is important to seek further medical evaluation rather than relying on the same medications. He also cautioned against panic, noting that most stomach pain is not caused by cancer.

He wrote:
“The uncomfortable truth is that looking healthy does not always mean that everything is fine inside your body. Some serious illnesses can develop quietly, with symptoms that may look like ordinary problems at first.”

“Ulcer. Can an ulcer actually be cancer? Not exactly. An ulcer does not simply turn into cancer. But some cancers, particularly cancers of the stomach, can cause symptoms that people commonly describe as ulcer.”

“This is why that stomach pain that keeps coming back deserves more attention than simply taking the ulcer drug you used last time. If the symptoms keep returning despite treatment, don’t just keep changing the drug. Go back and investigate what is actually causing them.”

Refreshing your memory, The Nigerian Voice recalls that Ogogo’s daughters, Lima and Kira Taiwo, had made an emotional appeal on Instagram last Monday, seeking help for their father’s treatment after he was diagnosed with stage-four cancer.

They had revealed that hospitals had refused to treat him and begged for anyone who could provide medical or spiritual assistance. His close friend and colleague,

Yinka Quadri, had also been deeply affected by his illness, staying in constant contact with the family and offering support.

‘Ogogo’ passed away on Sunday at 3:00 pm at the age of 66, according to a statement issued by his colleague, Jide Kosoko. He was buried on Monday in his hometown of Ilaro, Ogun State, following Islamic rites.

His death has since sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with colleagues and fans paying tribute to the veteran actor.