What are the early symptoms of cervical cancer? What causes cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer, also known as cervical cancer, is a cancer that occurs in the cervix. It originates from the growth of abnormal cells and can even invade or metastasize to other parts of the body. There are usually no symptoms in the early stages, but in the late stages there may be abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or cervical cancer.

More than 90% of cervical cancer patients have been infected with human papillomavirus (HPV); but relatively speaking, most infected people do not develop cancer. Other risk factors include smoking, immune deficiency, regular use of birth control pills, unsafe sex, multiple sexual partners, etc., but none of them is as important as HPV infection. Typical cervical cancer develops from precancerous lesions over a period of 10 to 20 years. Cervical cancer can be divided into several types, 90% of which are squamous cell carcinomas, 10% are adenocarcinomas, and other types account for only a small number. Diagnosis is usually made through cervical smear screening, followed by further biopsy. Medical imaging is used to detect whether the cancer has metastasized.

HPV has many subtypes, two of which are particularly susceptible to cervical cancer. HPV vaccines protect recipients from both types of the virus, thus preventing 65% to 75% of cervical cancers. However, because there is still some risk of cancer, prevention guidelines still recommend regular Pap smears. Other prevention methods include abstaining from sex and using condoms. Cervical cancer screening uses Pap smears or acetic acid to identify precancerous lesions, which can be further treated to prevent them from developing into cancer. Treatment of cervical cancer includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. In the United States, the five-year overall survival rate is 68%, and the key to prognosis is early detection.

Worldwide, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer and the fourth most common cause of cancer death in women. In 2012, there were an estimated 528,000 cases of cervical cancer and 266,000 deaths, accounting for 8% of cancer incidence and 8% of cancer deaths, respectively. About 70% of cervical cancer occurs in developing countries, and it is the most common cause of cancer death in low-income countries. In developed countries, the prevalence of cervical smear screening has greatly reduced the incidence of cervical cancer. In medical research, the famous cell line Hela cells were cultured from cervical cancer cells of a woman named Henrietta Lacks.

1. Symptoms

There are no symptoms in the early stages of cervical cancer. As the disease progresses, patients may experience abnormal vaginal bleeding. Since young women are sexually active, their estrogen levels and sexual intercourse frequency are both higher, so it is more likely that bleeding during sexual intercourse will be the first symptom. In addition, increased vaginal discharge is also a common symptom of cervical cancer, and about 80% of cervical cancer patients have this symptom.

1. General symptoms

1) Vaginal bleeding:

Irregular vaginal bleeding, especially contact bleeding (i.e. bleeding after sexual intercourse or gynecological examination) and postmenopausal vaginal bleeding are the main symptoms of cervical cancer patients. Cauliflower-like bleeding in cervical cancer occurs earlier and the amount of bleeding is heavier.

2) Increased vaginal discharge:

White, thin, watery, rice-water-like or bloody, with a fishy smell. When cancerous tissue ruptures and becomes infected, the secretions may be purulent and have a foul odor.

2. Early symptoms

1) The early symptoms of cervical cancer are mainly confined to the cervix.

Cervical cancer patients often have no symptoms until it spreads to other surrounding tissues.

2) Many cervical cancer patients have increased leucorrhea in various conditions and degrees.

It is thin and watery or rice water-like, with a fishy smell. This is one of the early symptoms of cervical cancer.

3) Early symptoms of cervical cancer

Often there is a small amount of bleeding after sexual intercourse or irregular menstruation or vaginal bleeding after menopause. At this time, a gynecological examination is performed, and patients with cervical cancer will find that the surface of the cervix is ​​smooth or eroded, hard, and easy to bleed when touched.

4) As cervical cancer progresses and the tumor grows,

Patients have increased vaginal discharge. If the cancerous tissue is necrotic or infected, more foul-smelling vaginal discharge mixed with blood will be discharged; symptoms of advanced cervical cancer include increased bleeding, and even fatal hemorrhage due to erosion of larger blood vessels. The local tumor of cervical cancer may be cauliflower-like, nodular or ulcerated, and it will be hollow when the tumor is necrotic and falls off.

3. Late symptoms

1) Pain is a symptom of advanced cervical cancer

The cancer extends along the adjacent tissues, invades the pelvic wall, and compresses the peripheral nerves, with clinical manifestations of persistent pain in the sciatic nerve or one side of the sacral or iliac region. The tumor compresses or erodes the ureter, causing narrowing and obstruction of the ureter, leading to hydronephrosis, which manifests as unilateral low back pain or even severe pain, and further develops into renal failure or even uremia. Invasion of the lymphatic system leads to obstruction of lymphatic vessels, which hinders reflux and causes symptoms such as lower limb edema and pain.

2) Systemic symptoms may occur in late stage of cervical cancer

Late-stage patients have fever due to the metabolism of tumor tissue, absorption of necrotic tissue or combined infection. The body temperature is generally around 38°C, and a few can reach above 39°C. Anemia, weight loss and even cachexia occur due to bleeding and consumption. Ginsenoside Rh2 can effectively alleviate the systemic complications of late-stage cervical cancer, increase the patient's platelet count, restore the patient's white blood cell count to normal, comprehensively improve the patient's quality of life, enable the patient to always maintain normal physical strength, successfully complete various treatments, and greatly improve the prognosis of patients with late-stage cervical cancer.

3) Cervical cancer will have metastatic symptoms in the late stage

Generally, the cancer spreads forward and can invade the bladder. Patients experience frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, prolapse and hematuria, which are often misdiagnosed as urinary tract infection and delayed diagnosis. In severe cases, bladder-vaginal fistula may form. The cancer spreads backward and can invade the rectum, causing symptoms such as prolapse, difficulty in defecation, tenesmus, and blood in the stool. Further development may cause vaginal-rectal fistula. Distant metastasis may occur in the late stage of the disease. Different sites of metastasis have different symptoms. The most common is supraclavicular lymph node metastasis, where nodules or lumps appear. Tumor infiltration can spread to distant organs through blood vessels or lymphatic systems, resulting in metastatic lesions in corresponding sites and corresponding symptoms. Ginsenoside Rh2, as the most effective anti-cancer component in ginseng, can directly act on cancer cells and control the further metastasis and spread of cancer cells.

4) Metabolism of advanced cervical cancer

In advanced patients, cancer tissue metabolism, absorption of necrotic substances, and infection cause the body to have a fever. The fever is generally low-grade, and a few can exceed 39°C. Bleeding and tumor consumption affect metabolism and produce cachexia.

Cervical cancer is caused by chronic infection of cervical epithelial cells by human papillomavirus, which leads to epithelial cell dysplasia and then canceration. Chronic infection with HPV type 16 is prone to squamous cell carcinoma, while chronic infection with HPV type 18 is prone to adenocarcinoma. Epidemiologically, the prevalence of HPV type 16 infection is higher than that of HPV type 18 infection. Therefore, clinically, cervical cancer mainly presents as squamous cell carcinoma, while adenocarcinoma is relatively rare.

Intravaginal examination can reveal punctation patterns like the surface of a strawberry at the lesion. In severe cases, these punctation patterns may even connect to form a mosaic pattern of vascular networks. Under a microscope, dysplasia (CIN classification is determined by the thickness of dysplastic epithelial cells) can be found in cervical sections. Under a microscope, a high nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio (High N/Cratio) common in cancer cells and koilocytosis common in viral infections can be observed in cervical smears.

Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is divided into three grades.

1. Prevention:

Cervical cancer ranks first in cancer incidence, but it is the only cancer that can be prevented. As long as you pay attention to regular checks, you can stay away from the risk.

The "culprit" of cervical cancer is human papillomavirus, which is also the source of many sexually transmitted diseases. This virus can be transmitted through any slightly worn or soaked, softened tissue epithelium in the body, such as: female vagina, male foreskin inner side and mouth, anus, etc. Therefore, the more complicated the sexual relationship (or the sexual relationship of the other half is complicated), the higher the chance of contracting cervical cancer. In addition, if you have sex too early when your body's immunity is not yet sound, the risk of infection is also higher. High-risk groups for cervical cancer also include mothers and daughters, sisters with a family history of the disease, and people who are in basically the same environmental factors as them. Although this virus infection is not hereditary, it is transmitted through the medium of the same living environment, which increases the chance of infection. In addition, smokers or those who have other diseases, take steroids, or AIDS are more likely to develop cervical cancer than ordinary people because of their poor immunity.

Although the incidence of cervical cancer is not low, as long as you pay attention to regular examinations, you can still effectively prevent the occurrence of cancer.

2. Gynecological examination should not be ignored:

Although cervical cancer is dangerous, it also has its own "weaknesses" and is most easily detected and treated early. It takes 6 to 8 years for early inflammation to develop into malignant cancer. If you take advantage of this period of time, modern medical methods can completely detect cancer and take appropriate measures in time to ensure that women can live a healthy life again. According to research, the cure rate for the first stage of cervical cancer can reach 80% to 90%, 60% to 70% for the second stage, and 40% to 50% for the third stage, but only 10% for the fourth stage. Therefore, regular inspections and timely treatment are very important.

Many women always think, "I eat a lot and sleep well, so what's the big problem?" In fact, it is not true. In the early stage of cervical cancer, there is almost no physical discomfort, but when irregular bleeding occurs, it is generally in the second stage of cervical cancer, and the risk is much higher. Therefore, female friends need to have a gynecological examination every year to detect the occurrence of cancer as early as possible and buy time for treatment.

According to the American standard, the rule for women who have sex to receive gynecological examinations is: after the age of 18, a cervical cancer smear test is done once a year. If there are no problems for three consecutive years, the examination can be done every two years. At present, the early detection technology of cervical cancer has matured. Adult women can have an examination once a year to see whether there are lesions at a glance. If lesions are found, surgery and radiotherapy can be used at this time to not only prevent the spread of cancer, but also reduce the impact on the patient's quality of life caused by the removal of the uterus and ovaries when the cancer is serious. The recovery effect is also very good.

Women who have sex should go to obstetrics and gynecology hospitals every year for a smear test to detect early lesions and receive early treatment. The smear test is relatively simple. Just take a small amount of cell tissue from the cervix and you can get the test results.

3. Stay away from risk factors for cervical cancer

Carry out self-discipline education:

The incidence of cervical cancer is second only to breast cancer and ranks second among gynecological malignancies. At present, the incidence of this disease in developing countries is higher than that in developed countries. The reason is that women in the former have poor health awareness and often wait until the disease occurs before going for examination, and at this time the tumor is often in the late stage. Cervical cancer is more common in women after the age of 35, with a peak period of 45 to 59 years old, but the current age of onset has been greatly advanced, and many girls who get sick are only in their 20s. Studies have found that many sexually transmitted diseases can cause cervical cancer, especially genital warts, which are closely related to this disease. Therefore, women with multiple sexual partners are at high risk of cervical cancer. In addition, premature sexual life, malnutrition, long-term oral contraceptives, family inheritance, and injuries caused by gynecological examination instruments will also increase the risk of cervical cancer. Women who have had the above experience should pay special attention to cervical cancer screening.

4. Pregnancy is the most dangerous for cervical cancer:

The most dangerous thing for cervical cancer is pregnancy, because early cervical cancer will not affect pregnancy. If the mother has cervical cancer but it is not detected before pregnancy, then with pregnancy, the uterus will be filled with blood. The nutrition delivered by the mother will not only nourish the baby, but also make the cancerous part grow at an extremely rapid rate. In addition, some hormones secreted by the body during pregnancy promote cancer. During pregnancy, the body's immunity decreases and the effect of fighting cancer cells is not effective. Some signs of cervical cancer, such as bleeding, will be considered as threatened abortion and ignored. It will be too late to find it after giving birth, and the prognosis is very poor. Therefore, pregnant women must do various examinations before pregnancy, especially smears, otherwise, after the pregnancy period, some diseases will be missed, causing serious consequences.

What’s even more serious is that some mothers still don’t find out that they have cervical cancer after giving birth. Instead, they mistake the bleeding as normal postpartum hemorrhage and continue to breastfeed their children. This makes it even more impossible to suppress the cancer and it develops to the point where doctors are helpless.

5. Promote family planning and late marriage and childbearing.

6. Popularize health knowledge and strengthen women’s health care.

7. Pay attention to the prevention and treatment of chronic cervical diseases

Actively treat cervical precancerous lesions such as cervical erosion, cervical warts, cervical atypical hyperplasia and other diseases.

Health is a kind of savings. Only when you accumulate more when you are young and maintain a regular life, you can benefit from it when you are older. Gynecological diseases are physical diseases like hepatitis and headaches. If you think that gynecological diseases are private and avoid examinations, you will only harm your body. Young girls cannot think that they can sit back and relax. Experts have found that the age of onset of ovarian and uterine malignant tumors is getting younger and younger. Therefore, gynecological examinations are an indispensable health amulet for women of all ages.

8. Expert advice:

1) The age of cervical cancer patients is about 50 years old.

However, there are cases ranging from teenagers to 90 years old. Therefore, women under the age of 20 who have already had sexual intercourse also need to be screened.

2) Generally, screening is not required after hysterectomy.

Unless you were originally treated for cervical cancer or precancerous lesions, if you still have a cervix, you should be screened until you are 70 years old.

3) It is not suitable to do a smear test during menstruation or 3 to 4 months after childbirth.

It is best to do it 7 days after the end of menstruation. If you have entered menopause, you can choose a day that is easiest for you to remember.

method:

(1) Advocate late marriage and fewer and better births.

Delaying the age of starting sexual life and reducing the number of births can reduce the chance of cervical cancer.

(2) Actively prevent and treat cervical ulcers and chronic cervicitis.

During delivery, be careful to avoid cervical lacerations. If lacerations occur, they should be repaired promptly.

(3) Pay attention to sexual hygiene and menstrual hygiene.

Moderate sex life appropriately, avoid sexual intercourse during menstruation and the postpartum period, pay attention to the cleanliness of the reproductive organs of both parties, wear condoms during sexual intercourse, and reduce and eliminate multiple sexual partners.

(4) The man has phimosis or foreskin that is too long

Attention should be paid to local cleaning, and it is best to have a circumcision. This will not only reduce the risk of cervical cancer in the wife, but also prevent the occurrence of penile cancer in oneself.

(5) For people at high risk of cervical cancer

Women who have sex too early or too often, give birth too early, too often or too frequently, women who have promiscuous sex, multiple sexual partners or a history of unclean sex, women in areas with poor sanitary conditions and lack of sexual health knowledge, women with cervical ulcers, tears, chronic inflammation and vaginal infections, and women whose spouses have long foreskin or phimosis should pay special attention to regular screening. Those who have the conditions can try to use cervical cancer embolus for preventive treatment.

General treatment

1. Western medicine treatment of cervical cancer

The treatment of cervical cancer is divided into atypical hyperplasia, carcinoma in situ, microscopic early invasive cancer, and the treatment of invasive cancer

Treatment principles

1. Atypical hyperplasia:

If the biopsy is mild atypical hyperplasia, it is temporarily treated as inflammation, and the scraping is followed up for half a year and biopsy is performed again when necessary. If the lesion persists, it can be observed. For those diagnosed with moderate atypical hyperplasia, laser, freezing, and electric ironing should be used. For severe atypical hyperplasia, total hysterectomy is generally recommended. If you urgently want to have children, you can also follow up regularly and closely after cone excision.

2. Carcinoma in situ:

Generally, most people advocate total hysterectomy and preservation of both ovaries; some advocate simultaneous removal of 1-2 cm of the vagina. In recent years, laser treatment has been used at home and abroad, but close follow-up is required after treatment.

3. Microscopic early invasive cancer:

Generally, extended total hysterectomy and removal of 1-2 cm of vaginal tissue are recommended. Because the possibility of lymph node metastasis of early invasive cancer under microscopy is extremely small, it is not necessary to eliminate pelvic lymphatic tissue.

4. Invasive cancer:

Treatment methods should be based on clinical stage, age, general condition, and equipment conditions. Common treatment methods include radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Generally speaking, radiotherapy is suitable for patients at all stages; the surgical effect of stage Ib to IIa is similar to that of radiotherapy; cervical adenocarcinoma is slightly less sensitive to radiotherapy, and a combination of surgical resection and radiotherapy should be used.

2. Surgical treatment

Extensive hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node removal are performed. The removal range includes the entire uterus, bilateral adnexa, upper vagina and paravaginal tissues, and pelvic lymph nodes (paracervical, obturator, internal iliac, external iliac, and lower common iliac lymph nodes). The operation requires thoroughness, safety, strict control of indications, and prevention of complications.

3. Surgical complications and their management

1. Surgical complications include intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pelvic infection, lymphocele, retention, urinary tract infection and ureterovaginal fistula.

2. Treatment of surgical complications. In recent years, the incidence of the above complications has been significantly reduced due to improvements in surgical methods and anesthesia techniques, the use of preventive antibiotics, and the use of extraperitoneal negative pressure drainage after surgery.

4. Radiation therapy

It is the first choice for cervical cancer and can be applied to all stages of cervical cancer. The radiation range includes the cervix and the affected vagina, uterine body, paracervical tissue and pelvic lymph nodes. The irradiation method generally adopts a combination of internal and external irradiation. Internal irradiation is mainly aimed at the primary lesion of the cervix and its adjacent parts, including the uterine body, the upper part of the vagina and its adjacent paracervical tissue (point "A"). External irradiation is mainly aimed at the area where the pelvic lymph nodes are distributed (point "B"). The internal radiation source uses intracavitary radium (Ra) or 137cesium (137Cs), which is mainly aimed at the primary lesion of the cervix. The external radiation source uses 60 cobalt (60Co), which is mainly aimed at metastatic lesions outside the primary lesion, including the pelvic lymph node drainage area. The dose is generally 60Gy. At present, it is advocated to perform internal irradiation first for early cervical cancer. For advanced cancer, especially those with huge local tumors, active bleeding, or concomitant infection, it is appropriate to perform external irradiation first.

5. Chemotherapy

So far, cervical cancer is not sensitive to most anticancer drugs, and the effective rate of chemotherapy does not exceed 15%. Advanced patients can be treated with comprehensive treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs such as 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin can be injected intravenously or locally.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment for Cervical Cancer

Syndrome differentiation and treatment

Chinese medicine treatment:

1. Causes:

Traditional Chinese medicine believes that cervical cancer is caused by spleen dampness, liver depression, kidney deficiency, and organ dysfunction, which leads to Chong and Ren disorders and Du and Dai disorders. The Neijing states: "If Ren meridian is diseased, women will have leucorrhea and masses"; "If Chong and Ren meridians are out of balance, Du meridian is out of control, and Dai meridian is not firm, then leucorrhea will occur."

This disease can be caused by liver depression and qi stagnation, spleen deficiency and dampness, or kidney deficiency and infirmity. Because the Chong and Ren meridians are connected to the liver and kidneys, and Chong is the sea of ​​blood, when treating the disease, we should distinguish the deficiency and excess, distinguish the internal organs, or soothe the liver and regulate qi, or strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, or tonify the kidney and consolidate the body. It is closely related to the liver, spleen, and kidney.

In the early stages of cervical cancer, traditional Chinese medicine mainly uses local medication and vaginal administration to cause coagulation, necrosis, and shedding of cervical cancer lesions. For late-stage cancer, it needs to be treated based on syndrome differentiation and treatment, strengthening the body and eliminating evil, combining attack and supplementation, and treating both the symptoms and the root causes. This can alleviate the symptoms of cervical cancer patients and prolong their life. Commonly used medicines include Curcuma, Arisaema, Brucea javanica, Lithospermum officinale, etc.

Radiotherapy is the main treatment for cervical cancer. During radiotherapy, Chinese medicine should be used in combination to reduce side effects. For example, the yin-nourishing and heat-clearing method can be used to treat yellow, white, fishy-smelling leucorrhea, genital pain, dry mouth, thirst, and hard stool symptoms caused by radiotherapy. You can use raw rehmannia, adenophora, ophiopogon, radix trichosanthis, sophora flavescens, honeysuckle, dandelion, etc., decocted in water and taken orally.

2. Folk remedies

1) Wuhua Dehumidifying Tea

[Ingredients] 15 grams each of honeysuckle, chrysanthemum, kudzu flower, frangipani, sophora japonica flower, and kapok flower, 30 grams each of wild yam and raw coix seed, and 6 grams of licorice.

[Preparation] Soak all the herbs in 6 bowls of water for about 10 minutes, boil over high heat, simmer for about 40 minutes, filter out the residue, and add appropriate amount of rock sugar. Drink as tea.

[Effects] Clears away heat, detoxifies, promotes dampness and fights cancer.

[Scope of application] It is used for patients with cervical cancer, ulcers and concurrent infections, manifested by increased leucorrhea, colorectal cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, etc., manifested by internal resistance of dampness and heat.

[Precautions] When using, the key points are internal dampness and heat, dry mouth, bitter taste, constipation, yellow urine, red tongue, yellow fur, and rapid pulse. It is not recommended for those with weak constitution and obvious cold symptoms.

2) Job's tears, Euryale ferox and winter melon soup

[Ingredients] 50 grams of raw coix seed, 50 grams of water chestnut, 100 grams of pork ribs, and 500 grams of winter melon.

[Production]

(1) Wash the raw coix seeds and water chestnuts and soak them in clean water for 1 hour.

(2) Chop the pork ribs into pieces and cut the winter melon into cubes.

(3) First, put raw coix seeds, water chestnuts, and pork ribs into a clay pot and cook over medium heat for about 1 hour. Then add the winter melon and cook for another half an hour. Add salt, season, and then drink.

[Effects] Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness.

[Scope of application] It is used for patients with cervical cancer syndrome with internal dampness and toxins, local ulcers or necrosis, exudation of yellow and smelly liquid, lower abdominal distension, and reduced food intake. It can also be used for patients with other malignant tumor syndromes with internal dampness and toxins.

[Precautions] This prescription is mainly used to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. It should be used with caution by those who have been ill for a long time and have extremely weak constitution or loose stools.

3) Guiling Soup

[Ingredients] 1 golden coin turtle, 250 grams of fresh Chinese yam, 50 grams of raw coix seeds, and three slices of ginger.

[Production]

(1) Boil or kill the golden coin turtle, remove the intestines and clean it, then cut it into pieces.

(2) Wash and cut the wild yam and raw coix seeds into pieces. Then put all the ingredients into a clay pot and add 2000 ml of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then simmer for 2 hours over low heat. Season and serve.

[Effects] Strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness, detoxify and fight cancer.

[Scope of application] It is used for middle and late stage cervical cancer, with symptoms of weak constitution, emaciation, reduced food intake, pale tongue with teeth marks on the edges, greasy white fur, and smooth pulse. It can also be used for patients with other malignant tumors due to spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction.

[Notes] If there is no fresh Chinese yam, you can use 60 grams of dried product instead.

4) Pokeweed Porridge

[Ingredients] 10 grams of Rhizoma Phytolaccae, 100 grams of japonica rice, and 5 dates.

[Production] First, boil the rhubarb in water for 40 minutes, remove the residue and take the juice. Then add rice and jujube and cook into porridge. [Effects] It is diuretic and reduces swelling.

[Scope of application] Used for patients with advanced cervical cancer complicated with ascites.

[Notes]

(1) Rhizoma Coptidis is slightly poisonous and should not be consumed for long periods of time.

(2) Take on an empty stomach and avoid overdose.

5) Shouwu, Shengdi and Black Chicken Soup

[Ingredients] 60 grams of Polygonum multiflorum, 30 grams of Rehmannia glutinosa, 500 grams of black chicken, and five slices of ginger.

[Production]

(1) Wash and chop the black-bone chicken into pieces.

(2) Wash and slice Polygonum multiflorum and Rehmannia glutinosa.

(3) Place all ingredients into a clay pot, add appropriate amount of water, simmer for 2 hours, season, drink the soup and eat the meat.

[Effects] Nourishes yin and replenishes blood.

[Scope of Indications] It is used for cervical cancer with yin deficiency and blood deficiency, anemia, cachexia, with symptoms such as emaciation, sallow complexion, pale nails, or irregular vaginal bleeding.

[Notes]

(1) This prescription is mainly used to nourish Yin and blood. It should not be used if one has a fever caused by external factors.

(2) Do not use if you have loose stools.

6) Astragalus Porridge

[Ingredients] 30 grams of raw astragalus, 30 grams of raw coix seed, 15 grams of red bean, 9 grams of chicken gizzard lining, 2 kumquat cakes, and 30 grams of glutinous rice.

[Production]

(1) Wash astragalus, raw coix seed, red bean, chicken gizzard lining and glutinous rice separately and set aside.

(2) First, boil the astragalus root in 1000 ml of water for 30 minutes, remove the residue, add raw coix seed and red bean and cook for 30 minutes, then add chicken gizzard lining and glutinous rice, cook until it becomes porridge, and take it twice a day, morning and evening. After taking it, chew a kumquat cake, once a day.

[Effects] Suitable for patients with weak constitution and indigestion caused by cancer. It is especially suitable for patients with mid- to late-stage cervical cancer or those after surgery or chemotherapy, who have symptoms of fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, poor appetite, pale tongue, thin white fur, and deep and thin pulse.

[Precautions] This recipe is the "Compound Astragalus Porridge" created by the famous old Chinese medicine doctor Yue Meizhong. It is better in nourishing and strengthening the spleen. It should be used with caution if you have a fever caused by external factors.

1. Cervical cancer (i.e. uterine cervical cancer) generally has little effect on the digestive tract function in the early stage. The main purpose is to enhance the patient's disease resistance and improve the immune function. Nutrients should be supplemented as much as possible. Protein, sugar, fat, vitamins, etc. can be reasonably consumed. When the patient has a lot of vaginal bleeding, some blood-tonifying, hemostatic, and anti-cancer foods should be taken, such as lotus root, coix seed, hawthorn, black fungus, and ebony. When the patient's leucorrhea is watery, it is advisable to take nourishing foods, such as turtle, pigeon eggs, and chicken. When the patient's leucorrhea is sticky and smelly, it is advisable to eat light and damp-removing foods, such as coix seed, red bean, and white imperata root.

2. After the operation, the diet should be adjusted to replenish qi and blood, and produce essence and replenish essence, such as yam, longan, mulberry, wolfberry, pork liver, turtle, sesame, donkey skin glue, etc.

3. During radiotherapy, dietary adjustments should focus on nourishing blood and yin. Beef, pork liver, lotus root, fungus, spinach, celery, pomegranate, water chestnut, etc. can be eaten. If radiation cystitis and radiation proctitis occur due to radiotherapy, meals that clear heat and dampness, nourish yin and detoxify should be given, such as watermelon, coix seed, red bean, water chestnut, lotus root, spinach, etc.

4. During chemotherapy, the diet should be mainly to strengthen the spleen and kidney. You can use yam powder, barley porridge, animal liver, placenta, donkey-hide gelatin, turtle, fungus, wolfberry, lotus root, banana, etc. When gastrointestinal reactions, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite occur, you should adjust your diet to strengthen the spleen and stomach, such as sugarcane juice, ginger juice, black plum, banana, kumquat, etc.

5. In the late stage of cervical cancer, you should choose high-protein, high-calorie foods, such as milk, eggs, beef, turtle, red bean, mung bean, fresh lotus root, spinach, winter melon, apple, etc.

6. Vitamin malnutrition. Some people have observed that the blood beta-carotene level of patients with cervical cancer is lower than that of the control group. Low intake of beta-carotene is a risk factor for cervical cancer. In addition, vitamin C is also related to the incidence of cervical cancer. A survey in my country showed that when the intake of vitamin C increases, the risk of cervical cancer decreases.

7. Trace elements. It has been found that it is related to the trace elements copper, zinc, and selenium. A study by the Guizhou Cancer Prevention and Treatment Institute found significant differences between cervical cancer and breast cancer. The plasma copper of current and long-term relapsers was significantly higher than that of non-relapse survivors and normal people. The plasma copper of long-term relapsers was significantly higher than that of the non-relapse group. The copper ratio was highest in long-term relapsers. The copper-zinc ratio of the current group was also significantly higher than that of the normal and non-relapse groups. Plasma copper and copper-zinc ratios can be used as indicators for the diagnosis and prognosis of cervical cancer and malignant tumors. Some people have investigated that the disease of cervical cancer patients is related to high copper intake, which may be because copper has an antagonistic effect on selenium, and large doses of copper can produce selenium deficiency symptoms in animals. Therefore, attention should be paid to supplementing vitamins in the daily diet, and appropriate attention should be paid to supplementing foods containing zinc and selenium.

(1) Cervical cancer is caused by stagnation of qi and blood, condensation of phlegm and dampness, and accumulation of toxic heat. Avoid eating foods that are greasy, sweet, spicy, fried, or other foods that can generate dampness, phlegm, dryness, heat, and bleeding.

(2) When the patient's leucorrhea is watery, he/she should avoid eating raw and cold food, fruits, cold food, and hard and difficult-to-digest food; when the leucorrhea is thick and has a foul odor, he/she should avoid eating greasy food.