Text/Xia Mo
Editor/Xia Mo
Preface
Recently, an article titled "Harvard Study, Gray Hair People Have a Smaller Chance of Developing Cancer!" has been widely spread among the circle of elderly friends.
For us, this kind of title that is exaggerated at first glance is generally laughed at and scratched away, but many elderly friends are very attentive, and it is precisely because of this that they are killed.
Uncle Wang, who lives in Harbin, has always had a cough, but since the 11th National Day, Uncle Wang's cough has worsened a lot.
Originally, coughing was a cough, but it was only two occasional sounds, but now not only coughing and coughing all day long, but sometimes it becomes violent and coughs up blood.
After taking various cold medicines and cough medicines, the family suspected lung cancer and planned to take Uncle Wang to the hospital for a check-up.
But Uncle Wang just read that article, and thought that he had gray hair, wouldn't the probability of cancer be lower, so he was stubborn and just didn't go.
Until he got up this morning, Uncle Wang just sat up from the bed and fell down again, his whole head was dizzy and painful, and he felt his throat tight when he wanted to shout, as if he had been choked.
Uncle Wang's daughter was also startled when she came, and Uncle Wang's whole head was swollen and he was panting heavily.
When I was sent to the hospital for an examination, I learned that Uncle Wang was suffering from lung cancer.
Uncle Wang, who was on the hospital bed, couldn't understand why he said that the white-haired person had a small chance of developing cancer, but he could do it?
Gray hair and cancer
Harvard research reports all say that people with gray hair have a smaller chance of developing cancer, is Uncle Wang that small probability?
Actually, no, this statement is completely groundless.
In 2009, Japan did conduct a related experiment, but on mice.
In this study, Japanese researchers came up with the result that after DNA damage, the melanocytes in the hair follicles will transform into melanocytes after death, making the hair white, and there is no mention of what it has to do with cancer.
Later, the chair of the dermatology department at Harvard University did interpret the experiment, arguing that this transformation process would help prevent stem cells from becoming cancerous, and that turning into melanocytes could reduce the risk of cancer.
Later, I didn't know how to reprint this article in China, and it was indiscriminately linked to the irresponsible marketing account that the hair is not gray and that it is not easy to get cancer, which is simply hearsay.
You know, people with diabetes have a higher probability of developing cancer, and I don't know how many people have been misled in this article.
Three changes don't overlook
Although gray hair on the head cannot be used as a basis for determining lung cancer, if you have the following signs on your head, it is necessary to pay attention to them, and these three changes are real cancer beacons.
1. Coughing up blood
When lung cancer grows and spreads, the tumor is likely to invade surrounding tissues and blood vessels.
When a tumour grows into the trachea or bronchi, it can cause the airways to narrow or block, blocking normal airflow and irritating the throat and causing coughing.
In addition, due to the inflammation and infection of lung tissues caused by lung cancer, the cough can even be worse.
During the growth of lung cancer, due to the erosion of tumor cells, normal lung tissues are likely to be destroyed or even necrotic, forming ulcers.
The blood vessels around the tumor such as the bronchial arteries can also be invaded, causing damage and causing a disorder in the blood supply that flows into the airways, which can also cause coughing and, in severe cases, coughing up blood.
If you have a similar cough or coughing up blood, it is recommended that you go to the hospital immediately and do a full body examination to find the cause in time for control.
2. Head and facial edema
If you have edema in your head or face, you should also consider whether it is caused by lung cancer.
The lymph in our body is mainly responsible for removing waste and fluid from the body, and when lung cancer spreads to the lymph nodes and invades the lymphatic system, the flow of lymphatic fluid may be blocked, which can accumulate in the head and face, causing edema.
And, as lung cancer progresses, the tumor may metastasize to other parts of the body, such as the face or head, causing compression of blood vessels or tissues near these tumors.
In addition, lung tissue inflammation and infection caused by lung cancer are likely to further lead to fluid accumulation in the body, which is why edema of the head and face may be caused by lung cancer.
Although other diseases or external factors may also cause edema of the head and face, it is important to be aware of this situation and always seek medical attention in the hospital.
After all, whether it is lung cancer or not, it must not be a good thing for the head and face to be white and have unexplained edema.
3. Dizziness and headache
Dizziness and headache can be caused by many reasons, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
Usually, even if it is just a cold, many people will have a headache for several days, so many people don't take headaches seriously anymore.
However, if the headache and dizziness are really caused by lung cancer, it can only mean that your current health situation is not optimistic.
First of all, we need to understand one thing, that is, cancer cells will metastasize with blood and lymphocytes, which is what we often call "spread".
If cancer cells spread to the brain, a brain tumor may develop that compresses the nervous system.
Due to the weakened immune system function caused by lung cancer, bacteria and viruses are also more likely to invade the brain, leading to brain infection or inflammation, which can make people feel dizzy and headache.
In addition, lung cancer can also cause metabolic disorders in the body, leading to electrolyte imbalances or abnormal blood sugar, which may affect the nervous system.
Coupled with anemia caused by lung cancer, which leads to a decrease in the number or function of red blood cells, it is likely that there will be a lack of oxygen, which can lead to dizziness and headaches.
So I hope that when you have a headache and dizziness again, you must not take it lightly.
How to prevent lung cancer
Lung cancer is a very scary disease, we can prevent it or prevent it as soon as possible, rather than waiting for it to be treated, so what are the ways to help us prevent lung cancer in our daily life?
1. Quit smoking
If you don't want to get lung cancer, quit smoking now.
Benzopyrene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and other substances in tobacco are mutagenic, which can directly damage the DNA of lung cells and lead to cancer.
A large number of harmful gases and particles such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and other harmful gases and particles in the smoke produced by smoking will enter the lungs and cause cell damage, greatly increasing the risk of lung cancer.
2. Healthy living Xi
We should also develop good living Xi, maintain a balanced diet, and nutritious meals are the key to good health.
We should also do more aerobic exercises, such as running and fitness, to strengthen our immune system.
It is also extremely important not to stay up late, not to drink too much, and to maintain a good routine.