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"You know what, eating too much chili pepper can really give you a fever!" Rob said to a colleague next to the water cooler in his office, grinning as if he had just shared a great joke.
Rob, 45, is a quality control manager at a medium-sized pharmaceutical company. The job requires him to work precisely with data and drug standards, but his private personality is very different from the rigor of the job — Rob is the kind of person who can open the conversation in any social situation, often the pistachio of the team.
Lately, Rob has felt that something is not right with his physical condition. At first, he thought it might be because of the not-so-clean street food he ate the other day, or maybe he was too tired from work. However, as time went on, his stomach became more and more uncomfortable, and with repeated gas and inexplicable pain, he decided to see a doctor.
At the hospital, after an examination, Rob was informed that he had been diagnosed with colon cancer. This sudden news made him stunned. He couldn't believe that a seemingly ordinary stomach ache turned out to be a precursor to cancer.
The doctor explained that colon cancer may not have many obvious symptoms in the early stages, and many people are found because of some common indigestion or abdominal pain. And like Rob, who mistakenly thought that he had a bad stomach at the beginning, he actually missed the best time for treatment.
At this time, Rob has gradually moved from initial surprise to rationality. Doctors mentioned that the development of colon cancer may be related to dietary habits, genetics and environmental factors, but many of them also point to long-term emotional stress as one of the potential triggers.
A long-term state of stress can cause the body to release more inflammatory factors and hormones, and alterations in these biochemicals may affect the normal division and death of cells, which in turn increases the risk of cancer. In fact, the incidence of certain types of cancer is significantly higher in people who have been exposed to high-intensity stress for a long time.
Rob recalled the pressure of his work over the years, when it became almost the norm to work overtime and stay up late, and social activities were frequent, leaving him with little time to completely relax. This led him to re-examine his lifestyle and think about how he could find a way to relieve stress in his busy life.
Rob's treatment plan was quickly finalized. He began chemotherapy and, on the advice of his doctor, adjusted his diet and tried to add some soothing exercises, such as yoga and meditation, as well as regular outdoor activities. He even joined a support group for cancer patients organized by the hospital to share and communicate with people who were also going through treatment on a weekly basis.
Over time, Rob slowly learned how to live peacefully with cancer while being treated. He began to pay more attention to his body, and no longer paid attention to minor illnesses and pains as before.
During treatment, Rob met a young oncologist, Dr. Zhang, who was particularly concerned about Rob's condition. Dr. Zhang mentioned that if cancer patients can maintain appropriate social activities during treatment, their recovery speed and psychological state will be significantly improved.
Dr. Zhang explained that if cancer patients can maintain good social relationships and participate in social activities while receiving treatment, their emotions will be more stable and their quality of life will be improved. This positive change in mood can promote more positive physiological responses in the body, such as boosting the function of the immune system, which can help fight cancer.
After hearing these words, Rob felt like he had found a new way of life. He began to try to share his experiences with family and friends, and he became more open to the care and support of others. He found that this not only made him feel better, but also made him stronger and more optimistic in the face of treatment.
Of course, Rob also had some specific questions. He asked Dr. Zhang, "I've heard that cancer patients should avoid contact with the outside world as much as possible during treatment to reduce the risk of infection, so how can I stay safe and still maintain the necessary social activities?"
"Moderate socialising does not increase the risk of infection, as long as you take proper precautions," says Dr Teo. For example, wear a mask in public, practice hand hygiene, and avoid close contact with people who clearly have cold symptoms. ”
"At the same time, there is the option of having some small gatherings outdoors, and the air circulation will greatly reduce the possibility of infection. We have had a few cases where patients socialized in this environment and they recovered very well. ”
Through these exchanges and learnings, Rob gradually understood the relationship between his condition and treatment, and learned how to find his own way of life during this difficult journey.
What do you think about cancer?