Life-or-Death Situation: Aunt's Desperate Bid to "Starve" Cancer, a Harrowing 22kg Weight Loss Almost Costs Her Life
Can starving oneself of food and water lead to the recovery of internal tumors? In Shaoxing, Zhejiang, a middle-aged woman who had successfully undergone gastric cancer chemotherapy took extreme measures by continuing a rigorous diet, shedding 22kg in an attempt to "starve" her tumors. However, her daughter discovered the situation and rushed her to the hospital, ultimately saving her life.
According to mainland news sources, healthcare professionals at the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of Shaoxing People's Hospital were taken aback when they received a distress call from a daughter. She claimed her mother was on the verge of death after attempting to "starve" her way to recovery.
Patient Aunt Xu (pseudonym) had been showing significant improvement in her health after undergoing gastric cancer surgery and chemotherapy six months ago. She was gradually recovering and able to lead a normal life with regular follow-up appointments. However, upon her daughter's return home from working away, she was stunned to find her mother had lost a staggering 22kg in weight!
Aunt Xu's extreme and sudden weight loss came as a surprise, and the underlying cause was nothing short of a misguided rumor. Convinced that consuming a well-rounded diet would provide nourishment to cancer cells, accelerating tumor growth and potentially triggering a relapse, Aunt Xu resorted to a drastic measure. Firmly believing that starving her tumors through strict dietary restrictions would thwart their growth, she refrained from indulging in nutritious foods. Instead, her daily intake consisted of meager portions of rice and vegetables, completely neglecting her body's essential nutritional requirements.
Upon returning home during a vacation, the daughter, who had been working out of town, was shocked by her mother's alarming weight loss. She probed for answers and soon uncovered the truth. Without hesitation, she rushed her mother to the hospital for immediate medical attention. The healthcare team promptly admitted Aunt Xu to the Gastrointestinal Surgery ward, where her weight was measured. The astonishing results revealed a drastic drop from her original weight of 65kgto a mere 43kg, with a BMI index of a staggering 16.3. Even the healthcare professionals who had previously cared for Aunt Xu found it difficult to believe the extent of her transformation.
During her hospital stay, the combined efforts of the Gastrointestinal Surgery and Nutrition departments were dedicated to Aunt Xu's care, offering treatment and patiently dispelling misconceptions through educational sessions. Dr. Lu Jieqing, the attending physician, emphasized the significance of cultivating healthy dietary habits, maintaining proper nutrition, improving physical well-being, and strengthening the body's resilience as the most effective means of combating tumors. Deeply remorseful, Aunt Xu expressed her sincere regret and pledged to heed the guidance of the healthcare professionals, vowing to no longer blindly follow misguided beliefs.
Key Tips for Cancer Recovery:
．Follow medical advice and attend regular follow-up appointments.
．Maintain a healthy diet with balanced nutrition.
．Address negative emotions and seek emotional support.
．Engage in appropriate physical activities based on your condition.
．Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, while avoiding high-calorie and high-sugar foods.
