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The celebrity cancer trend as part of the emergent cancer discourse in contemporary Nigeria
The paper traces the emergence of the celebrity cancer trend in Nigerian English-medium newspaper articles. Celebrity cancer is presented as a new discursive practice within which a celebrity makes a public disclosure of their cancer experience in the media. This practice is considered within the broader context of cancer discourse and is regarded as a potentially efficient means of raising public awareness of cancer, enhancing cancer literacy and heightening cancer vigilance. These effects are of particular value in developing countries where cancer discourse is underdeveloped, Nigeria being one of them. The paper identifies the main features of the contemporary celebrity culture, looks into its formation in modern Nigeria, considers the societal impact of celebrities and the role they can play in promoting correct health-seeking behaviors. It further analyzes eight articles from six major Nigerian newspapers dated 2024 to identify the main features of this discursive trend with a focus on their educational potential.