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Zhou Haoming, a 52-year-old ordinary office worker, wept silently in the waiting room of the hospital. He is always smiling on weekdays, but at the moment his face is haggard, and there are tears in the corners of his eyes. The reason is that he has just been diagnosed with rectal cancer.
In fact, Zhou Haoming had already noticed that something was abnormal in his body as early as a year ago. The timing of his bowel movements has changed slightly, and he can sometimes see bloodshot poop.
At first, he thought it was just a small problem caused by his own life problems and irregular diet, so he didn't pay attention to it. It wasn't until the symptoms became more frequent that his wife insisted that he go to the hospital for a check-up, only to be diagnosed with a heartbreaking terminal cancer.
In the consultation room of the hospital, opposite Zhou Haoming sat oncologist Zhang Li. Dr. Teo, a veteran doctor with extensive experience, explained in detail the symptoms, causes and treatment of rectal cancer.
Dr. Cheung went on to explain that the high incidence of rectal cancer can be related to a variety of factors, including genetics, dietary habits, lifestyle, etc.
In particular, high-fat, low-fiber diets, as well as lack of exercise, greatly increase the likelihood of developing the disease. In addition, constant mental stress and abnormal habits are also potential triggers for cancer.
Zhou Haoming had mixed feelings in his heart after hearing this. He thought that for so many years, he had always neglected his health because of his work, ate casually, hardly exercised, and had been under a lot of pressure in his life. At this moment, he deeply regretted it.
Seeing Chow's mood, Dr. Zhang changed the subject and began to discuss the treatment plan. He explained that although Zhou Haoming's condition has reached an advanced stage, there are still a variety of treatment options. He stressed that although the treatment is difficult, there are many cases that have a good quality of life through active treatment.
The doctor also specifically mentioned that in addition to classical treatment, the development of targeted drugs and immunotherapy has brought new hope to rectal cancer patients. These methods are able to target cancer cells more precisely while reducing damage to normal cells, with significant and relatively rare results.
Towards the end of the conversation, Zhou Haoming couldn't help but ask a question: "Dr. Zhang, I heard that the results of rectal cancer tests are so unoptimistic?"
Dr. Zhang replied calmly, "Mr. Chow, it is true that the results of rectal cancer can sometimes feel very heavy, but the key is to choose the most suitable treatment plan according to the condition. ”
"Medicine is advancing so fast that many previously unimaginable treatments are now possible. ”
Dr. Teo then touched on a lesser-mentioned but increasingly growing point in recent years – the association between the microbiota and rectal cancer. He explained: "The imbalance of the gut microbiota may have a greater relationship with the occurrence and development of rectal cancer. ”
"A healthy gut flora can help us fight off pathogens, break down food, and even regulate the immune system. When this balance is disrupted, some harmful bacteria may increase, which may accelerate the formation and growth of cancer cells. ”
"For example, those who have higher levels of certain harmful bacteria in their intestines have a significantly higher incidence of rectal cancer than normal people. ”
"This reminds us that in our daily lives, maintaining gut health is not just about preventing gastrointestinal diseases, but also about overall health, including preventing serious diseases like rectal cancer. ”
Dr. Zhang also mentioned that lifestyle modifications, such as increasing dietary fiber intake, regular physical activity, maintaining a moderate weight and eating regularly, are all effective ways to maintain the balance of intestinal flora.
"It's not just medications and surgeries, but these daily habits that we don't usually care about, but actually have an extremely important impact on our health," he said. ”
Regarding the choice of treatment, Dr. Zhang emphasized that in addition to conventional surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, individual differences should be taken into account, and a more personalized treatment plan can be customized according to the patient's specific situation, including the test results of the gut microbiota.
Finally, Chow asked a question: "Dr. Zhang, how can I adjust my diet to help treat rectal cancer?"
Dr. Teo replied, "Mr. Chow, depending on your situation, it is recommended that you increase your intake of dietary fibre and eat more whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Not only do these foods help keep your gut functioning properly, but they also provide enough nutrients to support your body in the treatment that is about to begin. He also made a special mention of a case he had previously treated, where the patient's intestinal condition improved significantly by adjusting his diet and lifestyle habits, and the treatment effect of rectal cancer was much better than expected.
What do you think about the prevention of rectal cancer?