No sudden onset tumors, only sudden onset tumors
The truth of cancer prevention (big health observation)
Our reporter Wang Meihua, "People's Daily Overseas Edition" (Page 09, April 19, 2022)
Cancer is a general term for a large category of diseases that seriously threaten people's lives and health. In my country, the most common cancers include lung cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, cervical cancer, and thyroid cancer.
A few days ago, People's Daily Health Client, China Anti-Cancer Association Colorectal Cancer Professional Committee, China Anti-Cancer Association Science Popularization Professional Committee, and Nuohui Health jointly held a cancer prevention science popularization activity, focusing on cancer prevention knowledge and advocating early prevention and early treatment of high-risk groups.
why cancer happens
Some people say that "everyone has cancer cells in their bodies", is this an alarmist?
"There is some truth to this statement, because we do not live in a vacuum, and everyone has some abnormal cells with genetic mutations in the body. These abnormal cells have the potential to develop into cancer cells." Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Beijing Zhan Qimin, dean of the University's International Cancer Institute, pointed out that carcinogenic factors are very complex, including external factors such as chemical, physical and chronic infections, as well as internal factors such as genetics, immunity, age, and lifestyle.
Most cancers are the result of long-term accumulation of gene damage and changes in human cells under the long-term action of external factors. It is a multi-factor, multi-stage, complex and gradual process. It usually takes ten to dozens of years to develop from normal cells to cancer cells. time of year.
"Don't worry too much, human beings have formed a powerful immune monitoring system in the process of evolution." Zhan Qimin emphasized that although "precancerous cells" are produced in every human body, these faulty cells will be repaired, corrected or eliminated. , the development of malignant tumors is very rare.
"What is the biggest factor in the increase in the incidence of cancer? It is the increase of age. If you live long enough, everyone may get cancer." Zhang Kai, deputy director of the Cancer Prevention Department of the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said that statistics show that the incidence of cancer is The incidence rate increases significantly after the age of 40 or 50. Therefore, increasing age is the most important factor for cancer. With the continuous increase in life expectancy in China, the increase in cancer incidence is inevitable. There must be a clear understanding of this. .
How to prevent cancer
Can cancer be prevented?
"Of course." Wang Guiqi, director of the Department of Endoscopy, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, introduced that the World Health Organization proposed that 1/3 of cancers can be completely prevented, 1/3 of cancers can be cured through early detection, and 1/3 of cancers can be treated with Existing medical treatments prolong life, relieve suffering and improve quality of life.
"Cancer is not as terrible as everyone thinks." Wang Guiqi pointed out that one-third of tumors can be prevented by staying away from tobacco and alcohol, living regularly, eating a reasonable diet, and maintaining a healthy attitude.
At the same time, some cancers, such as esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, etc., can not only be treated but also cured in the early stage.
In addition, standardized diagnosis and treatment and multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment can also improve the survival rate and quality of life of other 1/3 patients with malignant tumors.
"There has never been a sudden tumor, only a tumor discovered suddenly." Wang Guiqi emphasized that the occurrence and development of tumors is a multi-stage slow process. As for the high incidence of esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer in China, from the normal body It takes 10 to 15 years for the whole process to develop to the appearance of precancerous lesions, early stage cancer, and finally to the intermediate and late stage tumors with clinical symptoms. If we seize this time window and conduct screening in time for prevention, we can greatly Stay away from tumors.
How to prevent cancer and seize the "asymptomatic period"
What symptoms should you go for cancer screening?
"Almost all tumors have no typical symptoms in the early stage. When we think we are healthy, we must actively carry out early screening and early diagnosis to detect early cancer and precancerous lesions in time." Wang Guiqi emphasized that high-risk groups need to pay more attention to early screening. Early diagnosis, if there is a family history of cancer, by the age of 40, no matter whether there are symptoms or not, you should take the initiative to do further examinations.
For example, people at high risk of colorectal cancer include: heavy diet, high oil and low fiber, smoking, frequent alcohol consumption, lack of exercise, overweight and obesity, age over 40 years old, history of intestinal inflammation, family history of colorectal cancer, etc.
"When they go to a doctor to find a tumor with symptoms, 50% of the people often lose the chance of radical treatment." Zhang Kai said that in order to obtain a radical cure, it should be discovered and treated during the asymptomatic health period, especially when it arrives People of a certain age or with high-risk factors should take the initiative to participate in screening.
"If there is a family history, the probability of developing a tumor will be higher. About 5%-10% of patients will have this defect due to family inheritance, while more than 90% of patients are due to acquired eating habits and emotional management. It's caused by bad waiting." Tian Yantao, director of the pancreatic and gastric surgery ward of the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, pointed out that Helicobacter pylori is an important cause of gastric cancer. , unclean food, unclean tableware, water sources, etc., so we must vigorously promote public chopsticks and spoons, "Even if you eat at home, you should use public chopsticks and spoons, and everyone should use their own fixed tableware. Cleaning, disinfection, and mildew prevention are also important, and it is recommended to replace them every three months.”
What precancerous lesions should be paid attention to
"Why do many cancer patients have poor treatment results? The important point is the word 'late'." Wang Guiqi pointed out that the treatment effect and survival time of cancer are closely related to the sooner or later the cancer is discovered. The earlier the discovery, the better the treatment effect and the survival time of patients. the longer.
Some patients have physical examinations every year. Why are they still in the middle and late stages when they find cancer?
Zhang Kai pointed out that some routine health examinations are difficult to detect early tumors, so more effective anti-cancer physical examinations should be carried out regularly.
At present, most of the six major tumors, including lung cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer, gastric cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer, including cervical cancer and urogenital system tumors, have exact screening methods and appropriate techniques.
For example, for lung cancer, low-dose spiral CT of the chest can be selected, and breast cancer can be screened by breast palpation + mammography + ultrasound.
Which lesions are precancerous lesions?
"Many people say that polyps are precancerous lesions. Polyps are raised substances on the mucosa of the digestive tract, which may be inflammatory or tumorous." Wang Guiqi pointed out that tumor polyps are classified into benign and malignant. The probability of developing a tumor is very low, and resection is not necessary; if a tumorous lesion, especially a progressive adenoma, has a very high probability of becoming cancerous, standard treatment is required.
When it comes to gastroscopy and colonoscopy, the first reaction of many people is that it is inconvenient and uncomfortable.
"First of all, let's make it clear that people with gastrointestinal discomfort do not have to go for gastroscope and colonoscopy. Now we have a very effective stratification technology, which can be used to determine whether a gastroenteroscopy is necessary through preliminary screening. According to Wang Guiqi, for example, there are questionnaires, non-invasive technologies such as fecal occult blood detection and genetic testing. These people can be tested at home, and they can know whether they are a high-risk group without going to the hospital.
If the initial screening finds that it is indeed a high-risk group, then go to a medical institution for gastrointestinal endoscopy for fine screening diagnosis and treatment.