"Too fast!" A Zhejiang woman was stunned: It took only one month from the discovery to the diagnosis of cancer! Doctor: These situations should be taken seriously

In this fast-paced era, people often ignore the subtle signals of the body until they become alarms that cannot be ignored. As a doctor, I have witnessed many such transformations, and Ms. Li's story is particularly touching. Ms. Li, a 40-year-old career elite, is always known for her efficiency and tenacity. Her life is like a high-speed machine, turning non-stop every day. However, just a month ago, the machine showed signs of failure. An unintentional touch revealed a small hard lump in her abdomen, lying there quietly, as if announcing something. At first, Ms. Li didn't care too much, she thought it was just indigestion caused by work pressure. But as time went by, the lump not only did not disappear, but was accompanied by bursts of dull pain, as if constantly ringing her alarm bell. She began to feel uneasy, but she still believed that she could overcome it all, just like the countless challenges she had overcome before. Until that routine physical examination, my face became solemn, and Ms. Li's heart sank to the bottom.

After a series of examinations, she was told that she had advanced pancreatic cancer. This news was like a bolt from the blue, and she instantly fell from the clouds to the abyss.

She couldn't accept it, how could all this happen so quickly?

I remember the confusion and fear in her eyes. She asked me, "Doctor, why is this happening? I was fine before."

I can only tell her that the development of cancer is often silent, especially for a hidden disease like pancreatic cancer, the early symptoms are easily overlooked.

Once symptoms appear, the disease has often entered a stage where it is difficult to recover.

Ms. Li’s experience is not an isolated case. It serves as a warning to all of us that we cannot be lax in the slightest when it comes to physical discomfort.

The following situations require us to be particularly vigilant:

Persistent pain: Whether it is abdominal pain, chest pain or joint pain, if the pain persists and there is no obvious cause, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Unexplained weight loss: Sudden weight loss without any intentional weight loss may be a sign of cancer.

Abnormal lumps: Any painless lumps anywhere on the body, especially those that grow rapidly, should be checked out promptly.

Persistent fatigue: Chronic fatigue that is not relieved even by rest may be your body’s signal for help.

Skin changes: Changes in the shape or color of a mole, or the appearance of new skin lesions, should also be of concern.

When it comes to cancer, prevention and early detection are key.

As a doctor, I suggest that everyone should develop the habit of regular physical examinations, especially for people with a family history of disease, who should strengthen monitoring.

In addition, a healthy lifestyle is also an important means of preventing cancer, including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.

【Science Tips】

Cancer usually develops in several stages:

Dysplasia: This is the earliest stage of cancer development, when cells begin to divide abnormally but have not yet formed a tumor.

Carcinoma in situ: Abnormal cell proliferation continues to develop and form a small tumor, but has not yet invaded surrounding tissues.

Local invasion: The tumor has begun to invade surrounding tissues but has not yet spread to distant organs.

Distant metastasis: Spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body through the blood or lymphatic system.

Early detection and treatment of cancer is crucial because the success rate of treatment of early-stage cancer is much higher than that of late-stage cancer.

Therefore, we should pay attention to the following points:

Get regular medical checkups, especially for high-risk groups.

Pay attention to any unusual changes in your body, such as persistent pain, lumps, or unexplained weight loss.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption.

Seek medical attention promptly and do not ignore any suspected symptoms.

Cancer prevention and treatment is a battle for all people, and everyone's vigilance and actions are an important part of this battle. Let us work together and make unremitting efforts for health and life. Although Ms. Li's story is heartbreaking, it is also a warning. In our lives, every little discomfort should not be easily ignored. Health is our most precious wealth, and protecting this wealth requires the attention and efforts of each of us. Let us start from today to care more about our bodies and cherish every healthy day.