After his father’s death from lung cancer, Beijing resident Xu Jingxiang disposed of three large bags of unused medicine. “The pills outlived the patient,” he said bitterly. His father had endured over 50 hospital visits in one year, costing the family nearly 500,000 yuan, only to pass away covered in needle marks from countless treatments.
Meanwhile, an unnoticed experiment at a Tianjin hospital revealed a surprising truth. Of 20 cancer patients, those who weren’t told their diagnosis actually fared better than those who knew – both mentally and physically. This paradox highlights a growing concern in modern cancer care: sometimes, less is more.
The Problem With “Precision” Medicine
Today’s technology can detect tumors as small as 0.1mm, but this precision comes with risks. Many patients get pushed into aggressive treatment cycles – surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy – with devastating consequences.
One 70-year-old with early lung cancer died within six months of unnecessary chemotherapy that destroyed his immune system. Financially, the costs are staggering too – some patients pay 1.5 times more than necessary for unproven treatments.
Common Over-Treatment Mistakes:
Unnecessarily large surgeries
Too many chemotherapy rounds
Radiation when unlikely to help
Expensive drugs with severe side effects
A Different Approach: Living With Cancer
Traditional Chinese Medicine offers an alternative view. “Tumors aren’t just isolated problems,” explains Dr. Zhou Wengao, a TCM specialist. “They signal deeper imbalances in the body.”
Rather than attacking tumors at all costs, TCM focuses on strengthening the body’s natural defenses. This approach helps many patients maintain good quality of life for years.
The Mind-Body Connection
The Tianjin experiment proved what ancient healers knew: mental state dramatically affects physical health. The stress of a cancer diagnosis can actually weaken immunity and accelerate disease.
Some hospitals now remove scary labels like “Oncology Department” to reduce patient anxiety. Simple changes in wording can lead to better outcomes.
A Balanced Treatment Plan
Experts recommend dividing cancer care into three equal parts:
Mental Care – Reducing stress and fear
Body Care – Strengthening overall health
Tumor Care – Targeted, moderate treatment
Making Smart Choices
Families facing cancer should ask:
Will this treatment truly help?
What are the side effects?
Are there gentler options?
Watch for warning signs during treatment, and don’t chase unrealistic “cure” goals. Sometimes, living well matters more than test results.
Medicine’s True Purpose
As one long-term survivor noted: “I don’t know how many cancer cells I have left, but they’ve taught me how to really live.” In our rush to fight disease, we must remember that medicine’s goal isn’t just extending life – but making life worth living.
Related topic：
