How can I tell if the cancer has come back? Let’s be honest: From these 4 aspects, it can be seen that

Cancer patients can regress after a series of treatments. However, if the treatment is not thorough or the postoperative care is not done well, the cancer will recur again, increasing the difficulty of treatment, and even death due to the recurrence of the cancer. How can a cancer patient judge whether it has recurred?

1. Look at the clinical symptoms

Symptoms that appear when the cancer was first diagnosed, or are more pronounced, indicate a recurrence of the cancer. In addition, when the cancer recurs, unexplained fever, sudden weight loss, general weakness, pain, and bleeding may occur.

2. Look at the signs of the patient

Cancer cells generally metastasize through the lymphatic vascular system. When a local painless mass and lymph node enlargement are found, seek medical attention immediately. The mass often occurs in the armpit, groin or neck and clavicle fossa.

3. Do tumor marker examination

Tumor markers are soluble glycoproteins that are present in the blood, tissues and urine of cancer patients. Tumor markers are produced by cancer cells, and this should continue to rise substantially, indicating cancer recurrence. In addition, liquid biopsy can also be done, by drawing blood to check the level of circulating cancer cells and circulating cancer cell DNA in the blood. This test method is more accurate than imaging tests and can detect cancer recurrence earlier.

4. Do imaging examinations

Imaging examinations include CT, ultrasound and MRI. As long as abnormal shadows, masses or nodules are found in the examination, immediate medical attention is required to rule out the possibility of cancer recurrence.

1. Take the medicine on time and according to the dosage

Cancer treatment is a systematic and comprehensive process. Patients need to actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment, and strictly follow the doctor's instructions to take regular and quantitative medicines. They cannot stop or reduce the medicine according to their own feelings, and they cannot refuse to take the medicine because of the side effects of the medicine. As long as there is any abnormality during the treatment, you need to inform the doctor as soon as possible.

2. Regular review

After surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, there is no guarantee that 100% of all cancer cells will be killed. Some cancer cells may be hidden in lymphatic vessels. Therefore, regular review is required to achieve early detection and early treatment. Cancer recurrence usually occurs within two years, so rechecks should be performed at least every three months.

3. Have a reasonable diet

Cancer cells will consume protein and calories in the body, and chemotherapy drugs can affect appetite. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to a balanced diet and do a good job of nutritional matching, which can enhance the patient's anti-cancer ability, reduce complications, improve quality of life, and prolong survival. Pay attention to the diversification of diet, adopt the principle of small amount and many times, eat more light and easily digestible food, and do not have too many taboos.

Eat at least 500 grams of vegetables a day, 50% of which are dark vegetables, 200 to 400 grams of fruit intake, and eat as little red and processed meat as possible.

4. Maintain moderate exercise

Maintaining regular physical activity can reduce depression and anxiety in cancer patients, as well as relieve fatigue, nausea and pain, and diarrhea, and help improve resistance. At least 150 minutes a week of aerobic exercise, such as swimming or brisk walking, or you can choose more gentle exercise, such as walking or going up and down stairs, and can't sit still for long periods of time.

Kind tips

Cancer patients should establish a good psychological state, overcome anxiety and fear in time, and stay away from depression and loneliness. After the cancer recurs, a biopsy of the pathological tissue is required to determine the pathological type, which can accurately guide the clinical treatment. Even if the cancer recurs, one cannot give up treatment, and cooperate with the hospital to do palliative treatment, so that a longer survival period can be obtained.