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Li Tingting, a 55-year-old middle school Chinese teacher, sat on a hospital bench with tears in the corners of her eyes.
A few weeks ago, she began to have a dull pain in her right shoulder, which she thought was just standing too long on a regular day of teaching, or an inadvertent strain.
But today, doctors told her that she had a malignant tumor in her liver. In fact, as early as a few months ago, Li Tingting's body had already sent out warning signals.
It's just that she, like many people, didn't take these minor illnesses and pains to heart. In the corridor of the hospital, Li Tingting recalled the pain and fatigue that she had neglected, and her heart was full of regret. Along the way, she met Dr. Xu, a specialist who has worked in oncology for many years.
Dr. Xu patiently explained to Li Tingting some of the unknown early signs of liver cancer, which are often overlooked or misunderstood.
For example, Dr. Hsu specifically mentioned that many liver cancer patients will have persistent shoulder pain before being diagnosed. He explained that the liver is located in the upper right quadrant, and when a tumor grows to a certain size, or when the capsule on the surface of the liver is stretched, pain signals may radiate along the nerve to the right shoulder.
This pain is characterized by not getting worse or lessening with activity and is often more pronounced at night. Dr. Hsu also mentions an under-mentioned phenomenon – patients with liver disease may experience what is known as "decreased craving for sweets".
This is because the liver is the main glycogen storage and regulation site in the body, and when liver function is impaired, the body's cravings for sweets will decrease accordingly. Dr. Hsu also highlighted a sign that was rarely noticed – a slight yellowing of the skin.
This yellow color is different from severe jaundice and is very mild, often just yellowing of the skin or a slight yellow appearance of the whites of the eyes, which is easy to ignore or think of as a light problem.
In the course of talking to Li Tingting, Dr. Xu provided some cases from other patients to support his explanation. One of the cases was a 40-year-old man who came to the hospital with shoulder pain, and after examination, it was found to be advanced liver cancer. Again, the patient has no other typical symptoms, such as severe pain or significant weight loss.
Li Tingting listened to Dr. Xu's explanation, and her heart was full of mixed emotions. She suddenly realized that as a teacher, she had always focused on imparting knowledge, but neglected to learn and understand her own body language.
Now, faced with a diagnosis of liver cancer, Li Tingting has to reassess her lifestyle and past neglect. She began to reflect on her own approach to health and how she could use her experiences to educate her students and those around her.
Outside the ward, the autumn breeze was cool, and Li Tingting, accompanied by Dr. Xu, walked in the garden of the hospital. Dr Chui continued to educate her on the importance of liver cancer prevention and early screening.
He explained that although many people think that regular medical checkups are superfluous, for diseases such as liver cancer, early detection can indeed greatly improve the success rate of treatment. She realized that if she had paid attention to those seemingly inconspicuous symptoms earlier, she might not have progressed to where she is now.
At the same time, Dr. Xu also mentioned some new developments in liver cancer treatment. He mentioned that although liver cancer is a serious disease, advances in modern medicine have made the treatment more diverse and effective.
In particular, Dr. Xu emphasized the role of lifestyle modifications in the prevention and treatment of liver cancer. He advised Li Tingting to pay attention to a balanced diet, avoid excessive alcohol consumption, and maintain moderate exercise.
"What you are facing now is a new beginning, and while it is a challenge, it is also a learning process about how to better understand and care for your body. ”
Li Tingting was inspired, and she felt that she was not just battling the disease, but also reconnecting with her body and mind. Do we often ignore the small signals that our bodies are sending as well?
With the fast-paced nature of modern life, it's easy to ignore the slightest discomfort and regret it when the disease has progressed to a certain level. Learning to listen to the language of our bodies is probably a lesson that we all need to learn.
What do you think about liver cancer? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!