Cancer brings constant notice in modern society and easily burns out funds for research and treatment. It is a challenge for the new era, though the disease was very old.The first record of this disease was found in a Chinese medical book published in 1170, the time of Song Dynasty in China; although the treatment of tumor was dated back 3500 years ago in traditional Chinese Medicine.
Let’s have a look on some points in TCM for cancer prevention and treatment, some of them are close to the modern knowledge, and yet some have not been noticed much.
1.Febrile toxin in the mother
Modern medicine finds the genetic factor is one main source of cancer and new remedy is under development trying re-code the DNA in order to cease the growing of cancer. In TCM, doctors noticed the toxin that carried during the infant period in mother’s womb will have impact on cancer development. When an infant is delivered, the midwife traditionally will clean the mouth of the infant, as there is some sputum like sticky stuff with black color, which was called febrile toxin in the mother. If that is not cleaned, it will be swallowed by the infant with the first inhale.That toxin is accumulated during the 38 weeks stay in the womb, while any toxin left through the link of navel. Here the word “febrile” refers to the mother’s diet which left too much “heat” generated by over taking spicy food or sea food etc.
2.Seven emotional activity induced liver disorder
TCM believes that any over reaction of emotion or mood will cause disorder, and cancer will be generated when the liver system is in disorder, like high tension or depression. There are seven kinds of emotional activities: joy,anger, worry, sad, sorrow,horror and fear, which will disturb the regular circulation of one’s energy.The tension happened in the liver system will create a “flame” which course further stagnation and blockage. Severe pain is coursed by the blockage on the meridian system, which is the most suffer cancer patients face.
3. Yin deficiency and uncontrolled pathogen
The above term is classical in TCM by the philosophy of yin and yang theory. It is a description of the cancer property. The tumor is described like “solid rock in cave” and yin refers to body fluid which maintain the regular wellness.Patient will suffer disorders like insomnia, hair loss, sweating, shallow breathing, fatigue etc.Many chronic disorder will share the similor concerns and if not treated properly the possibility will be higher to course cancer.
4.Survive with cancer
Surgical remove of the cancer is the first option of modern treatment, which was the same as in TCM 2000 years ago. If the situation is too completed, the TCM will suggest survive with cancer in order to restore the energy which the life rely on. Even today, most percentage of cancer patients died from the side effects of cancer therapy or side syndromes of the cancer. There are many 80 or 90 years old patients survive with their cancer. Sometimes the cancer ages as well and stop endangering patients’ life. As long as the patient has craving for food, it indicates that the energy of life is still existing and can be enhanced to carry on. It is taken as the basis of life with the name translated as “original energy” or in Chinese as “yuan qi”. TCM can also work together with modern cancer therapies to improve the recovery.
Those views from TCM makes the prevention and treatment differ with modern medicine and long history research and treatments left valuable experience for the longevity of life. It requires further understanding of the recognize of life, with the profound connection between body and mind；involves reconsideration of the Embryology, Pathology, Psychology and Nutriology etc. Each of the above point requires a book size writing to be detailed, and I will leave it now to have the reader to think about, as life should always be in your own hands.
