Kola Oyewo, the veteran Nollywood actor, has detailed his struggle with prostate enlargement, revealing how the condition has slowed him down and limited the roles he can now accept.
Enlarged prostate, also known as Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition in which the prostate gland grows larger than normal, but the growth is not caused by cancer. It is a common condition associated with the natural ageing process in men. BPH puts pressure on your urethra. That pressure can cause symptoms like having to pee more often than normal and difficulty peeing, among others.
The 80-year-old actor spoke during a recent visit by actor Kunle Afod, reflecting on the physical toll the illness has taken.
Oyewo said the condition significantly weakened him, forcing him to step back from demanding acting roles.
Despite these challenges, Oyewo expressed gratitude for his recovery and survival, emphasising that his early decision to seek medical help was crucial in saving his life.
Before now, I could be here and there and play any role, but the sickness laid me back. I can’t play some roles anymore. Except for some minor roles. Well, thank God I am okay now. You can’t go through some kind of sickness and go back to how you’ve been before, but I thank God, he said.
I’m 80 years old, and we have so many people of my age that are still standing better than I am, but I thank God still. If I hadn’t taken decision to drive myself to the hospital as I did, then I might have died. They gave me a note to take to a hospital in Akure, but I thought to myself, who would take care/assist me there, so I went home first.
I told my wife, and we went to our family doctor. The symptoms I felt that made me go to the hospital were difficulty sleeping at night, frequent urine and sometimes urination on the body before I get to the toilet. After a series of tests, I was told I have an enlarged prostate.
Oyewo began his career in 1964 after he joined the Oyin Adejobi theatre group and his first role was Adejare in Orogun Adedigba.
He is a seasoned veteran with over four decades of experience. He also lectured at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun state, from 1996 till his retirement in 2011.
