Comprehensive understanding of tumour recognition, prevention and rehabilitation
When the cold wind of winter has been relentlessly blown, everything seems to be hiding in thick coats seeking a warmth. Within our bodies, however, a silent “war” may be taking place. The disorderly growth of cells may be creating a silent risk of tumours. As a doctor, I hope that during this cold season, you will be able to learn more about the complex and delicate disease of tumours in a more comprehensible and nuanced language, so that you can face it with greater tolerance. Imagine that tumours are like a group of “rebels” inside the body, and that they grow uncontrollably, like a group of homeless travellers who wander around and destroy the harmony and balance of normal structures. Some of these “rebels” are more “temperate”, they grow slowly, with clear boundaries, like a group of tamed pets that do not violate the surrounding “neighbors”, much less “acting” remotely, by moving through the blood or lymph system to other parts of the body. These, we call them benign tumors. But some of the “rebels” are very “silent” and “absolute” — they grow fast, they are powerful and aggressive, they are like an uncontrolled mob capable of disrupting the normal organization around them and threatening our lives through a blood or lymph system. These are what we call malignant tumours, which we call cancer.
We may face some challenges to our physical immunity as winter temperatures fall sharply and the cold winds burn. Combined with increased indoor activity and reduced air circulation, some of the harmful factors may be more likely to be “divide” in the body, thus increasing the risk of tumours. During this season, we should be more vigilant and concerned with our own health and better aware of the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of tumours. And when it comes to the cause of the tumor, it’s a very complex and complex problem. The combination of genetic, environmental, lifestyle and other factors combines a vast web of causes. Persons with a history of tumours may be at higher risk. But that doesn’t mean they’re gonna get tumors, but they’re just a web of causes, and it’s probably more closely inherited. Of course, environmental considerations are equally important. Long-term exposure to hazardous substances, radiation, viruses or bacterial infections can become “catalysts” for tumours. Moreover, the way of life cannot be ignored. Poor habits such as irrational diets, lack of exercise, late nights and high stress can weaken our immune system and “open up” the tumor.
In winter, heavy clothing may make surface swelling difficult to detect. So we need to be more sensitive to capture the abnormal signs of the body. For example, symptoms of sudden swelling, pain, skin change, wasting, inactivity, heat, etc. in one part may be “alerts” from a tumor. At this point, we should go to the doctor immediately for further examination. Diagnosis of tumours is like a detective game that requires a series of tests to “solve a case”. Medical examinations are preliminary investigations, and doctors seek possible “suspects” through touch, observation, etc. Visual examinations, such as B super, X-ray, CT, MRI, are “high-tech investigations”, capable of seeing inside the body and finding “shelter” of the tumor. These tests are like two pairs of “perceived eyes” and leave the tumor without a trace. The pathological examination is “a mountain of evidence”. Doctors obtain tissue samples by means of piercing, biopsy, etc., and observe the form and structure of cells under microscopes to determine the type and nature of the tumor. It’s like “conviction” for a tumor.
Treatment of tumours requires a combination of factors and the development of individualized treatment programmes. Surgery is like a “precision strike” and doctors are going to cut off the tumour tissue directly, like taking off a “time bomb” from the body. It is a “lifeline” that uses the “power” of radiation to kill a tumour cell, like to cut off a tumour with a bunch of “lasers”. Chemotherapy, through a “chemical attack” of drugs, inhibits the growth and fragmentation of tumour cells, as if a bottle of “toxic drugs” were used to poison the tumor. Of course, these drugs may also have an impact on normal cells, but doctors will try to weigh the benefits and the disadvantages and ensure the effectiveness of treatment. Target therapy is a “precision strike” at a specific target point for a tumour cell, as if it were a “critical hit” with a “missile”. Immunotherapy is the “elimination” of a tumour by the body itself by activation of its own immune system, like the injection of a “strong needle” into the body.
The end-of-treatment rehabilitation is equally important. In winter, low temperatures make it easier to feel cold and tired. Patients therefore need to be careful to stay warm and rest and avoid overwork. With regard to diet, nutritional balance should be ensured, and food rich in protein, vitamins and minerals should be consumed to provide the body with sufficient energy and nutrition. Psychological adaptation is equally critical. Many patients experience anxiety, depression, etc. after treatment, which is a normal psychological response. We need, however, to engage in timely psychological counselling, to adjust our mindset and to remain positive and optimistic. The company and support of families is also crucial. They can give the patient emotional comfort and material help, so that the patient can feel the warmth and strength of the home. Appropriate exercise enhances body immunity and physical capacity. However, it is important to choose the appropriate mode and intensity of movement according to their own circumstances and to avoid overwork and injury. Regular review is the “safety net” for rehabilitation. Through regular review, we can detect the recurrence or transfer of tumours in time to ensure the effectiveness of treatment. The tumour, while daunting, is not insurmountable. By better understanding the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of tumours, we can better prevent and respond to the disease. In this special winter season, we should pay more attention to our health, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular medical examinations and screenings, active cooperation with doctors ‘ treatment programmes, and attention to the diet and psychological adaptation of the rehabilitation process. Let us work together to protect our health from the threat of tumors. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”, and only if we really value it can we finally win this “war” with the tumor.
