Content Sources:
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Cancer is a topic that many people have heard about, but many patients often find that doctors are extra calm when it comes to the topic of cancer. One can't help but wonder how a doctor should choose if he encounters a loved one's terminal cancer. This kind of thing really happened to a doctor Zhou Liang in a hospital in Beijing.
Zhou Liang has always been busy with work, and all his thoughts are spent on how to cure patients, but in such a situation, Zhou Liang's father is plagued by cancer but cannot know it early.
That night, Zhou's father couldn't hold it anymore, so he took the initiative to find Zhou Liang to inform him of the recent condition of his body. As an experienced oncologist, he certainly knows that this time things may not be easy, but it is inevitable to have a fluke mentality. The next day, I took my father to the hospital for a full body examination, and sure enough, it was cancer.
After learning of this result, the family was in a heavy mood. Zhou's mother wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, biting her lip and trying not to collapse herself, Zhou Liang's sister sat quietly on the side, looking confused. And Father Zhou, the man who has always shown himself to be strong and tenacious, is now full of dazed and helpless in his eyes.
"What are we going to do?" Zhou's mother's voice finally broke the silence.
This question made Zhou Liang think a lot. As the eldest son in the family and a doctor, everyone expects him to give an answer. But he knew in his heart that treatment for advanced cancer represented not only high costs, but also unbearable pain for patients and the uncertainty of a very low success rate.
During that time, Zhou Liang was looking through all the latest research reports and treatments on his father's type of cancer, looking for a possibility that might bring a glimmer of hope. But what followed was more of a deep sense of powerlessness and despair.
In those days, when Zhou Liang's father saw it, he couldn't bear the child's hard work Father Zhou found him, and the two sat on the balcony and started a conversation.
"Liangliang, I can see that you are very embarrassed." Father Zhou's voice was hoarse but firm, "I know you want to do what you can to help me, but you also have to remember that the dignity and quality of life are more important than life itself. ”
Zhou Liang bit his lip, he never thought that one day he would need to listen to his father's philosophy about life and death.
"Dad, I... I really don't want to lose you. Zhou Liang's voice began to tremble, "I'm willing to do anything, as long as it can make you better." ”
Father Zhou smiled, stretched out his hand and touched Zhou Liang's head, "I know, child." I don't want to leave you, but I don't want you to see me suffer every day because of the treatment. I have enjoyed a full life, and every moment with you has been my happiness. ”
This conversation made Zhou Liang think that true healing is not only about extending the length of life, but also about the quality of life. Zhou's father's attitude gradually affected the whole family. They began to cherish every moment they spent with Zhou's father, no longer in the cold ward of the hospital.
As the days passed, Father Zhou's body gradually weakened, but his spiritual world was extremely full. Until the end, Zhou's father left this world peacefully in his sleep.
Zhou Liang's heart was full of sadness, but more of a blessing. He was glad that he had the courage and wisdom to accept his father's choice, so that his last days could be lived with dignity and quality. When he was dying, his father did not have those messy monitoring instruments, but wore a decent outfit, maintained a decent smile, and said goodbye to this world peacefully.
The departure of Zhou's father made Zhou Liang, as a doctor, understand a truth: in the face of life, we are all small, but we can choose how to face it. Treating cancer is not just a medical issue, it's a matter of the patient's own wishes.
Of course, returning to the cancer itself, there are still three key elements to consider when it comes to whether or not to treat it.
First and foremost, understanding the type and stage of cancer is essential to deciding on a treatment option. Different types of cancer have very different treatment methods and strategies due to their biology and rate of progression. For example, some early-stage skin cancers may be curable with surgery alone, while advanced pancreatic cancer may require a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
At the same time, the stage of the cancer reveals the degree of progression of the disease, and the survival rate and treatment effect of different stages of cancer can vary greatly. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the type and stage of cancer is a basic prerequisite before making treatment decisions.
Second, consider the individual's health status and life expectancy. Factors such as the age, physical condition, and concomitant diseases of cancer patients can all affect the choice of treatment options. For some elderly patients with severe cardiovascular disease or other serious medical conditions, the potential side effects of overly aggressive treatment outweigh the potential therapeutic effect.
A more conservative or symptomatic approach may need to be considered. Conversely, for some patients with good physical condition and relatively mild disease, aggressive treatment may greatly improve survival and quality of life.
Thirdly, the trade-off between the potential benefits and risks of treatment is also an important factor in the decision-making process. Any treatment may carry certain side effects and risks, and these potential adverse effects need to be carefully weighed against the goals of the treatment.
Physicians and patients need to discuss the potential of treatment options to improve symptoms, prolong life, and improve quality of life, compare them with the discomfort, side effects, and financial burdens that may come with them, and make a choice that best serves the patient's interests, taking into account the individual's values and life goals.
In summary, when deciding on a cancer treatment plan, it is important to consider the specific type and stage of cancer, the patient's overall health, and the trade-offs between the risks and potential benefits of treatment. This process requires close communication and collaboration between the patient, family members, and the care team.