Xiaomei is busy every day, taking care of both work and family. Lately, she has always felt that her neck is different from before, it feels a little thicker, and some small red dots have appeared.
Actually, she was quite worried, but when she thought of the crowded queue at the hospital, she flinched a little, and always comforted herself and said, "Maybe it's just that I'm too tired from work, and I'll be fine after a while." ”
One night, when Xiaomei was removing her makeup, she saw those little red dots again, and her heart suddenly chuckled. She remembered what netizens often said: "There is cancer in the body, the neck is prophetic." Thinking about it like this, her heart was even more up-and-down.
"Wife, why are you stunned?" the husband walked over and asked curiously.
"Husband, look at my neck, is there something wrong?" Xiaomei said a little nervously.
My husband took a closer look, then patted her on the back and said, "Oh, it should be fine, but for peace of mind, let's take the time to go to the hospital." ”
Xiaomei sighed and nodded. She still muttered in her heart, what the hell is wrong with this neck? Is it really like what is said on the Internet......
In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the neck is an important passage of the human body's meridians and a key node for the operation of qi and blood. Therefore, any abnormality in the neck may be a reflection of the body's internal condition.
So, what changes in our necks should we be on high alert, and it could be that cancer is warning us?
01
When cancer is lurking in the body, there may be some abnormal signs in the neck, and while these signs do not necessarily represent a diagnosis of cancer, they should definitely not be ignored.
1. The neck becomes thicker
If you notice that your neck is thicker than usual, it may be more than just simple weight gain or edema.
There are two possible scenarios for a thickened neck:
First, cancer cells may spread to lymph nodes in the neck through the lymphatic tracts or bloodstream, causing them to swell, and second, cancer may directly invade the neck tissues, causing swelling.
It is worth noting that the neck is a common affected area when metastases occur in cancer types such as thyroid cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, and lung cancer. Therefore, once abnormal neck thickening is found, you should immediately seek medical attention for a detailed examination to rule out or confirm the possibility of cancer in time.
2. Spider nevi appear on the neck
Spider angiomatas are a peculiar phenomenon of skin vasodilation, characterized by a small red dot in the center surrounded by radial branches of small blood vessels, resembling spiders. The appearance of spider angiomatas is usually associated with an abnormally high level of estrogen in the body.
Although spider angiomata do not necessarily mean cancer, in some cases, such as when liver cancer leads to decreased liver function, the inactivation of estrogen is weakened, which can lead to an increase in estrogen levels in the body, triggering spider angiomata.
Therefore, if a spider nevus appears on the neck, it is advisable to seek medical examination in time to determine the cause behind it.
3. The skin of the neck becomes dark
If you notice a gradual darkening of the skin in the neck area, this may be a sign of acanthosis nigricans. Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition characterized by skin pigmentation and thickening, which may be accompanied by rough skin and wart-like protrusions.
This condition is often associated with metabolic abnormalities such as obesity, diabetes, etc. It is important to note that certain cancers such as stomach cancer, gallbladder cancer, ovarian cancer, etc., can also cause acanthosis nigricans.
These cancers secrete certain active factors that interfere with the normal metabolism of the skin, leading to the occurrence of acanthosis nigricans. Therefore, when the skin of the neck darkens, in addition to considering metabolic factors, it is also necessary to seek medical examination in time to rule out the possibility of cancer.
02
In the face of the threat of cancer, prevention is always more important and effective than cure. The early symptoms of cancer are often not obvious, and once discovered, it is often in the middle and advanced stages, and the difficulty of treatment and the prognosis will be greatly reduced.
Therefore, we should start from the little things in our lives and actively prevent the occurrence of cancer.
The International Union Against Cancer believes that 1/3 of cancers are preventable, 1/3 of cancers can be cured if diagnosed early, and 1/3 of cancers can alleviate pain and prolong life. This illustrates the importance of cancer prevention.
In order to prevent the occurrence of cancer, we can take a series of measures, such as quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, maintaining proper exercise, and avoiding exposure to carcinogens.
In addition, regular medical check-ups are also an important means of cancer prevention. Through regular check-ups, we can detect and treat potential cancer lesions in a timely manner, thereby improving the cure rate and quality of life of cancer.
At the same time, we should also pay attention to the tertiary prevention of cancer:
- Primary prevention is to eliminate or reduce factors that may cause cancer and prevent the occurrence of cancer;
- Secondary prevention refers to how cancer is detected and treated at an early stage once it occurs.
- Tertiary prevention is rehabilitation after treatment, improving quality of life, alleviating suffering, and prolonging life.
In this era of information, we need to learn to listen to the voice of our bodies and capture these subtle warnings in time. Through regular health check-ups and a sensible lifestyle, we can build a line of defense for ourselves and our families.
Remember, prevention is always easier and more effective than cure. Let us cherish life, start from the details, and jointly guard the road to health.