【Disclaimer】The content of the article is for reference only, the storyline is purely fictional, intended to popularize health knowledge, if you feel unwell, please seek medical treatment offline.
On a sunny afternoon, Li Fang sat quietly on a bench in the hospital, holding the diagnosis report in her hand. Her eyes glazed over, and her mind echoed what the doctor had just said, "You need chemotherapy." The news came like a bolt from the blue, catching her off guard.
Li Fang is a 35-year-old kindergarten teacher who has always been in good health and has a regular life. But during a physical examination last month, she was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. The doctor advised her to start chemotherapy as soon as possible to prevent the cancer from spreading.
Just as Li Fang was about to accept fate, her friend Zhang Lu sent a confusing message: "Don't rush to make a decision, some cancers may not require chemotherapy."
This information made Li Fang fall into a deep confusion. Chemotherapy has always been considered one of the main means of fighting cancer, is there an alternative? With this question in mind, Li Fang began her own journey of exploration.
She first contacted Zhang Lu and asked her why she would say such a thing. Zhang Lu explained that she recently attended a medical lecture and heard a well-known oncologist mention that patients with certain types of cancer may not need chemotherapy, and sometimes chemotherapy may even be counterproductive. This statement aroused Li Fang's great interest, and she decided to delve into the topic.
Li Fang began to search for relevant information on the Internet and read a lot of medical literature and research reports. She was surprised to find that there has been quite a bit of research in recent years to support this idea. For example, a study by the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences showed that for some patients with early-stage breast cancer, surgery and endocrine therapy alone can achieve good results, without the need for chemotherapy.
With these new discoveries, Li Fang came to the hospital again and found her attending doctor, Professor Wang. Professor Wang patiently listened to Li Fang's question, nodded and said, "You raised a very good question. Indeed, with advances in medicine, we now have a more precise understanding of the treatment of cancer. "
Professor Wang explained that studies in recent years have shown that patients with certain types of breast and prostate cancer may not need chemotherapy.
This is based on two main considerations: the slower growth rate of these cancers, and the potential side effects of chemotherapy that may outweigh the potential benefits.
Li Fang listened attentively, and she asked, "So, under what specific circumstances can we consider not undergoing chemotherapy?"
Professor Wang took out a new research report, pointed to the data above, and said: "According to the guidelines of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, for early-stage, hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer patients, if the genetic test results show a low risk of recurrence, they can consider not undergoing chemotherapy."
Patients with low-risk prostate cancer may also not require immediate aggressive treatment and instead adopt a strategy of close surveillance. "
Li Fang nodded thoughtfully, she felt a glimmer of hope sprout in her heart. Professor Wang continued, "However, I must emphasize that each patient's situation is unique.
Whether chemotherapy is needed depends on the type, stage, genetic characteristics and other factors of the cancer. We can't generalize that a certain type of cancer necessarily needs or doesn't need chemotherapy. "
After listening to Professor Wang's explanation, Li Fang felt both excited and apprehensive. "So, what do you think should be the choice for my situation?" she asked.
Professor Wang carefully looked through Li Fang's examination report, pondered for a moment, and said, "According to your examination results, your breast cancer is at an early stage, hormone receptor positive, and HER2 negative.
I recommend that you do a genetic test first, which will help us assess your risk of recurrence more accurately. Based on the test results, we will determine the most suitable treatment plan for you. "
Li Fang nodded, feeling much more steady. She realized that in the face of cancer, it was not advisable to be blind or credulous to believe rumors. The most important thing is to make a reasonable choice according to your specific situation under the guidance of your doctor.
After leaving the hospital, Li Fang decided to share her experience with more people. She posted an article on social media about her journey from the initial panic to the gradual realization of the truth. She hopes that through her own experience, more cancer patients will realize that medicine is constantly advancing and treatment options are constantly being optimized.
Li Fang's article sparked widespread discussion. Many have shared similar experiences of themselves or those of friends and family. A middle-aged man named Chen Ming left a message saying that after his father was diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer, he chose close monitoring instead of immediate treatment on the advice of doctors, and has survived the five years without a hitch.
Another netizen, Liu Ting, shared a different story. Her aunt was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, and although chemotherapy had serious side effects, it did prolong her life and give her the opportunity to attend her grandson's full moon feast.
Liu's story is a reminder that chemotherapy is still an indispensable treatment for certain types of cancer.
These discussions made Li Fang realize that cancer treatment is a complex topic and there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Each patient needs to make the most suitable choice according to their own situation under the guidance of a professional doctor.
A few weeks later, Li Fang completed genetic testing. The results showed that she was at low risk of recurrence. After a detailed discussion with Professor Wang, she decided not to undergo chemotherapy for the time being, but to adopt a regimen of surgery plus endocrine therapy.
This decision made Li Fang feel relieved. She knows that this does not mean that her journey to cancer is over, but that it has just begun. She needs regular check-ups to closely monitor her condition for changes. At the same time, she also began to adjust her lifestyle, focusing on a balanced diet, increasing the amount of exercise, and learning to relax.
Li Fang's story has attracted the attention of the medical community. Professor Zhang from Peking Union Medical College Hospital mentioned the case at an academic conference. He pointed out that with the development of precision medicine, our understanding of cancer is shifting from "one size fits all" to individualized treatment. In the future, more and more patients may benefit from this precise treatment plan.
Professor Cheung also emphasised that this does not mean that chemotherapy is obsolete. For many types of cancer, chemotherapy remains one of the most effective treatments. The key is to develop the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.
Li Fang's experience has also sparked public concern about cancer prevention. Some experts point out that while some cancer patients may not need chemotherapy, prevention is still the best "treatment". Regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and staying away from known carcinogenic factors are all effective ways to reduce your risk of cancer.
Half a year later, Li Fang ushered in the first major postoperative examination. The results showed that everything was normal and there were no signs of recurrence. She was relieved by the good news. She decided to write a book about her experiences in the hope of bringing hope and strength to more cancer patients.
Li Fang's story teaches us that fear and despair are not the only options in the face of cancer. With the advancement of medicine, more and more patients have access to individualized precision treatment. Of course, that doesn't mean we can take it lightly. Seeking medical attention in a timely manner, following doctor's advice, and maintaining an optimistic and positive attitude remain the keys to defeating cancer.
Under Li Fang's leadership, her community began organizing regular health talks and inviting doctors to educate residents about cancer prevention and treatment. These activities not only raise people's health awareness, but also dispel many people's fears and misconceptions about cancer.
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(The story in the article is purely fictional, if there is any similarity is purely coincidental, if the body is not well, seek medical help in time)