Childhood cancer

Author: Xu Guangwei Li Wei|
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: When people talk about tumors, they often have a fear of cancer. If a child has a tumor, it affects at least two families. In reality, there are many misunderstandings. Clarifying the facts can reduce a lot of unnecessary anxiety. First, let's discuss the historical roots of these misunderstandings. In the early 20th century, the medical community identified four major diseases that severely threatened human lives: purulent infections, tuberculosis, syphilis, and tumors, which were called the "Four Killers." By the late 20th century, medicine had made significant progress, and the first three killers had already been controlled. Only tumors remained as a threat to life. Nearly every family has lost relatives or neighbors to cancer. Our beloved Premier Zhou Enlai, Chen Yi, Dong Biwu, and Song Qingling all died of cancer. Even with the highest medical conditions, their lives could not be saved, giving the impression that modern medicine is powerless against cancer. As a result, being diagnosed with cancer was often seen as a death sentence. This perception is deeply ingrained, making it difficult to see that tumors are actually being controlled. In the early 20th century, people believed that tumors were incurable and that even surgical removal would lead to recurrence or metastasis. However, now, with advanced radiotherapy, new chemotherapy methods, and innovative surgical techniques, combined with molecular medicine, genetic medicine, and integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatments, most tumors have begun to be controlled. This is why international organizations like the Cancer Survivors Association exist, and in China, there are Anti-Cancer Stars Clubs in various regions, indicating that more people are surviving. Of course, the results are still unsatisfactory, as currently, out of two malignant tumors, one still leads to death. Can medicine control tumors? Now, tumor causes and development patterns have been identified in genetic medicine, and gene treatment methods have been found in molecular medicine. Some scientists even predict that by the early 21st century, tumors will be controlled as effectively as infections, tuberculosis, and syphilis. Existing treatment technologies, such as gamma knife distant tumor removal and organ transplantation, are advancing rapidly, and chemotherapy is also evolving, with tumor cure rates improving quickly. Misunderstandings about pediatric tumors are even greater. First, people believe that tumors are diseases of old age and that children cannot get malignant tumors. Second, they think that even if a tumor is cured, the child will only live for three to five more years, so treatment is futile. In reality, a 5-year survival rate means that if there is no recurrence within 5 years, the tumor is unlikely to recur, which is essentially a cure, not just a 5-year life expectancy. In fact, most pediatric tumors are benign, and the cure rates for malignant tumors in children are much higher than those for adult cancers. Currently, out of ten children with tumors, seven to eight can survive, and the chemotherapy effectiveness is significantly higher than in adults. The impact of the Japanese TV drama "Blood Type" was unexpectedly large. Almost all urban residents in China believe that cancer is a death sentence, especially for children with leukemia, which is considered certain death. This was also true in the past. In 1960, statistics showed that there were virtually no cures for pediatric leukemia worldwide. By 1990, the cure rates for some types of leukemia had reached 70% to 80%. However, the influence of "Blood Type" remains difficult to change. Doctors' ability to spread awareness is far inferior to that of literary masters. Once people know that leukemia is "blood cancer," they "fear cancer." What should families do if a child is diagnosed with a tumor? Most families are panicked and disappointed. Those who have some knowledge of tumors will naturally go to the hospital for treatment. However, after returning from the hospital, some remain disappointed, believing that the chances of recovery are slim. As a result, they may give up treatment, leading to failure and death, wasting both time and money. People lose trust in hospitals, and charlatans, fake medicines, superstition, and cults take advantage of this vulnerability. Although they know that cults are deceptive, since hospitals have declared the child a death sentence, if someone claims to be able to cure it, why not give it a try? Strangely enough, some patients with advanced malignant tumors diagnosed by advanced scientific methods, including CT and biopsies, are occasionally cured by folk remedies. Repeated examinations fail to detect any residual tumor. Although this is just a rare case, its promotional impact is immeasurable. Why can folk remedies cure malignant tumors? In reality, some pediatric malignant tumors can spontaneously heal. Especially for the most aggressive neuroblastoma, most patients die, but a few naturally disappear or transform into benign ganglioneuromas. Currently, medical science cannot yet grasp the of these cases, control them, or predict them. Some parents, by chance, try folk remedies and succeed, which becomes proof for their promotion. The saying "folk remedies can cure major illnesses" applies to this. Major illnesses are inherently difficult to treat, so as long as there is a possibility of spontaneous healing, folk remedies can exploit this loophole. Scientific treatment is based on reason, evidence, statistics, and certainty. Folk remedies are just a gamble. That's why people don't turn to folk remedies for easily treatable conditions. Folk remedies can only "cure major illnesses." Why do scientists seek folk remedies for their own children if they get tumors? This indicates that current tumor treatments are still unsatisfactory. Hospital treatments mainly involve surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, all of which people fear, and children suffer severe reactions. Moreover, these treatments are lengthy, affecting nutrition, development, and learning. Although scientists believe in science, they are reluctant to accept current scientific methods, so they also try folk remedies, hoping for a scientific breakthrough. This further supports the charlatans. How should we correctly approach pediatric tumors? There is no other option but to believe in science, go to a large hospital, and. Heaven is unpredictable, and life is full of surprises. This means that people's understanding of weather and diseases is still insufficient. Weather forecasts are becoming increasingly accurate, and medical progress is accelerating rapidly, so our existing knowledge and perceptions are undoubtedly outdated. We should still listen to expert opinions.