When Mr. Zhang, 52, was diagnosed with lung cancer, his world collapsed seemingly overnight. Faced with this life-threatening threat, he began to search for various cures, hoping to find a miracle. From traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy to various so-called "miracle" alternative therapies, Mr. Zhang tried every method he could think of. However, on this path to healing, Mr. Zhang encountered another problem – overtreatment.
Overview of Lung Cancer: Demystifying Lung Cancer
What is lung cancer?
Lung cancer, one of the world's leading cancers in terms of incidence and mortality, is divided into two main categories: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. There are many types of non-small cell lung cancer, including adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, which account for the majority of the total number of lung cancers. The early symptoms of lung cancer may not be obvious, but as the disease progresses, patients may experience symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, difficulty breathing, etc.
The main cause of lung cancer
Long-term smoking is the primary risk factor for lung cancer, and non-smokers may also increase the risk of disease due to environmental pollution, passive smoking, occupational exposure and other factors. In addition, genetic factors also affect the likelihood of lung cancer in an individual to a certain extent.
An important step before treating lung cancer
Before treating lung cancer, a thorough physical examination and an accurate pathological diagnosis are crucial. This includes imaging tests (e.g. CT scans), biomarker tests, tissue biopsies, etc., to determine the type and stage of the cancer and the overall health of the patient. This information is the basis for developing a treatment plan and ensuring that the treatment plan is individualized and accurate.
Traditional Treatments and Their Limitations: When Science Meets Boundaries
Traditional treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy (chemotherapy) and radiation therapy (radiotherapy). These methods are effective in controlling disease progression in many cases, but they are not a panacea, and each has its limitations and side effects.
Surgery is usually used for people with early-stage lung cancer and is aimed at removing the tumor and affected tissue. However, not all patients are candidates for surgery. The risks of surgery are closely related to the patient's overall health and the location of the tumor. The recovery period after surgery may also affect the patient's quality of life.
Chemotherapy aims to kill cancer cells with drugs, but its non-selective mechanism of action means that normal cells can also be damaged. This explains why chemotherapy is accompanied by side effects such as hair loss, nausea, fatigue, etc. In addition, long-term chemotherapy may cause patients to become resistant to the drug, reducing the effectiveness of treatment.
Radiation therapy uses high-energy radiation rays to control or kill cancer cells by destroying their DNA. Although radiotherapy is more precise in its localization than chemotherapy, damage to healthy cells from radiation is still unavoidable, potentially causing skin damage, fatigue, or long-term damage to other tissues.
The dangers of overtreatment: more is not always better
Overtreatment refers to treatment beyond what the patient actually needs, including the use of unnecessary treatments and the overuse of a certain treatment. This phenomenon is particularly common in lung cancer treatment, in part because of the psychological drive of patients and families to "do whatever it takes" treatment.
The direct consequence of overtreatment is to increase the physical and financial burden on the patient. Unnecessary treatment not only increases the risk of side effects, but can also cause patients to miss out on more appropriate treatment. For example, some patients have been physically and financially exhausted after multiple rounds of chemotherapy that have not been effective, and they cannot afford further treatment.
On a psychological level, overtreatment can also lead to an increase in the emotional burden of patients and families. Prolonged treatment sessions, accumulating side effects, and financial stress can all have a negative impact on a patient's psychological state and reduce the overall effectiveness of treatment.
Doctors play a vital role in the treatment decision-making process. They need to consider the patient's specific situation, including the severity of the condition, the patient's physical condition, and the patient's treatment preferences, to develop the most suitable treatment plan for the patient. This requires doctors not only to have deep professional knowledge, but also to have good communication skills, fully communicate with patients and families, and jointly make rational and scientific treatment decisions.