3 'T's' help 80-year-old woman with cancer live a healthy life

Hai Phong After 12 chemotherapy sessions, Mrs. Ha, 78 years old, lives a healthy life thanks to the 3 "T" secret: Learning about the disease, diverse food, and diligent exercise.

Ms. Pham Thi Lung Ha, from Hai Phong, discovered rectal cancer 7 years ago, from the sign of bloody stools, although her health was normal before. At that time, she thought she had hemorrhoids so she bought fish mint leaves to steam according to folk beliefs, but her condition did not improve.

Endoscopy results at 108 Military Central Hospital discovered a tumor in the rectum, biopsy showed stage 3A cancer - metastasized to nearby lymph nodes, but had not yet spread to other organs in the body.

"My knowledge about cancer is zero, but I'm not afraid. On the contrary, I have great faith in modern medicine and I learn about the disease myself," said Ms. Ha.

After 12 chemotherapy sessions in 6 months, she was discharged and returned for annual check-ups. Currently, the woman is healthy, with no malignant tumors found in her body.

Ms. Pham Thi Lung Ha. Photo: Character provided — Ms. Pham Thi Lung Ha. Photo: *Character provided*

Over the past 7 years, Ms. Ha has been deeply researching colon cancer, as well as nutrition for people with the disease, and has applied and adjusted it for herself. Through her research, she has found that the 5-year survival rate for stage 3A cancer patients is up to 90%, so the woman's spirit is always optimistic and comfortable.

Thanks to her knowledge, she applied a diverse, nutritious diet, balancing the three energy-generating substances: starch, protein, and fat. Carbohydrates need to be supplemented 50-60% from vegetables, fruits, starch, bread, and potatoes. Protein groups from plants and animals account for 13-20% of total energy, supplemented with seafood, shrimp, crab, fish, followed by chicken, duck, goose, pork, and beef. Fats of animal origin such as fat (meat fat, fish fat) and fats of plant origin such as oil (oil found in nuts and fruits).

Eating a variety of foods is recommended by nutritionists. In addition, eating on time and limiting processed foods. The body is fully supplemented with nutrients, so Mrs. Ha is always healthy, eats well, sleeps deeply, and does not need functional foods.

Dr. Tran Duc Canh, Department of Endoscopy and Functional Exploration, Central Cancer Hospital, said that many cancer patients apply strict diets to heal. They believe that fasting helps starve cancer cells, causing the tumor to shrink and cure the disease. However, this is a misconception, causing many patients to become exhausted, lose their natural immune barrier, and make the disease worse, Dr. Canh said.

Cycling and walking help women stay healthy and mentally comfortable. Photo: Provided by the character — Cycling and walking help women stay healthy and mentally comfortable. Photo: *Provided by the character*

In addition to eating, Mrs. Ha diligently exercises . Since receiving chemotherapy, the woman proactively got out of bed and walked around gently. After her treatment was stable, she maintained the habit of walking lightly, about a few kilometers a day, then switched to cycling.

She maintains a scientific lifestyle, wakes up and goes to bed on time, gets up at 5:30, cycles about 10 km, then goes to the market. In her free time, the woman does gardening and practices arts to relax.

"Exercise makes my body healthier and I eat better," she said.

Like many other sports, cycling every day brings many benefits such as burning fat, good for the heart, improving thinking and spirit, and helping you sleep well, according to Bicycling.

Cycling and walking are some of the ways to boost immunity, which helps the body fight off diseases, prevent bacteria, viruses and some common cancers, and bring beneficial changes to most organs such as the brain, muscles, bones, cardiovascular system, kidneys and lungs. When you are physically fit and mentally relaxed, your life will be longer.

"Understanding the disease, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and scientific activities keep my body healthy and my spirit optimistic, the main factors to overcome the disease," Ms. Ha shared.

Thuy Quynh

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