去年一位近親患了惡性結腸癌，發現時已屬末期，群醫束手無策，終於魂歸天國。據聞死者家庭成員中亦有人曾患癌症而先後離世。由於西方傳統醫學認為此病與基因遺傳有關，她的三個成年子女立即接受結腸測試(colonoscopy)，其中兩個的大腸內都發現有少許息肉(polyps)，再從息肉取出活組織來作檢視(biopsy)；結果證實全屬良性，但轉惡性之機率很高；為防後患，專家建議其中一個把有息肉出現之結腸割除，另一個只須把息肉剪去便妥；他們往後每隔一段日子仍須接受結腸測試，以確保一切正常。
那個接受了結腸割除的兒子於手術後如廁頻頻，每天有五至六次之多，生活上起了很大的變化，一時難以適應；他仍是上班一族，對此大感不便，相信有點後悔當初未曾深思熟慮便倉猝決定進行割除。其實，當每個人面對這些切身問題時都應尋求其他專家之意見，周密考慮得失後才作出決定。雖謂醫者父母心，但無法保證每一個醫生的判斷不會出錯。
癌症確實可怕，聞者色變。預防勝於治療，病從淺便醫，都是智慧之談。但對發現在結腸內有少許良性息肉便感到如臨大敵，如此之反應是否過激及不智？值得商榷。
對醫生的意見縱使言聽計從，也不妨向曾經接受過結腸割除的親友查詢手術後產生之不良後遺。這都是一些很寶貴的資料，可供參考。
以我非專業之愚見，高危的家庭成員只要定期作結腸測試已足够防禦癌細胞之入侵，過早地動一些繁複之外科手術可能沒有實際需要。他們或可改變生活方式，或可採用食療增進健康；這些都是可行的方法，值得一試。
黄啓樟 2012/1/31於Fort Myers
www.davidkcwong.blogspot.com
2012/2/23 加拿大商報
David:
ReplyDeleteHaving a few polyps in the colon is nothing to worry about unless they are cancerous. I did colonoscopy tests a couple of times, the last one in 2008 when the doctor told me whether I should do any further test was optional. Guess this was due to my advanced age.
One remark before I end. Doctors of course love to have their patients see them as often as possible. At my age, they probably suggest I go see them once every 4 months It is up to the patient whether he or she should do so. As for me, I feel I know my body better than my doctor. If I see anything unusual with my stool, then I would rush to see my doctor and have a colonoscopy test.
Joe
My family has a bad history of cancer. My Dad died from bow cancer. I guess it is time for me to have check up too.
ReplyDelete