Refuse to take herbal medicine for cancer surgery

Ho Chi Minh City Ms. Dung, 38 years old, stage two breast cancer, friends advised her to take herbal medicine but she refused, after surgery to remove the tumor, breast reconstruction, her health is stable.

Previously, in November, Ms. Dung unexpectedly discovered breast cancer during a routine health check-up. "I went for a check-up because my sister urged me to. I didn't think I had breast cancer because I had no symptoms," Ms. Dung said.

On December 25, Master, Doctor Huynh Ba Tan, Department of Breast Surgery, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that the patient had stage 2 cancer in the right breast. The treatment plan was mastectomy and breast reconstruction using a rectus abdominis muscle flap (TRAM flap).

To perform this technique, after removing the cancerous breast, the doctor takes the patient's own skin tissue from the lower abdomen, fat, and rectus abdominis muscle to reconstruct the breast. This method also helps the abdomen look flatter because the excess fat is removed.

Doctor Tan examines Ms. Dung. Photo: Nguyen Tram — Doctor Tan examines Ms. Dung. Photo: *Nguyen Tram*

Dr. Tan said the surgery was successful, Ms. Dung’s health is stable, her stomach is flat, and her breasts are fully reconstructed. The patient continues chemotherapy to destroy all cancer cells.

"Many people advised me to eat a healthy diet and take herbal medicine to eliminate the tumor, and not to have surgery because it could make the disease worse," Dung said, adding that thanks to her belief in modern medicine and the doctor's scientific treatment regimen, her health is now stable, her hair has grown long after chemotherapy, and her breasts have been regenerated as if she had never had the disease.

According to Dr. Tan, surgery to remove a tumor requires a proper assessment of the disease’s severity, following the principles of safety in cancer, and avoiding tumor cells from breaking out and spreading to many places, making the disease worse. Therefore, cancer patients should see a breast surgeon for appropriate treatment.

Depending on the extent of spread, the doctor will choose the appropriate treatment method. In cases where the tumor has not spread (stages one and two), the patient may undergo surgery, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. If the tumor has spread (stages three and four), chemotherapy is required before surgery. The patient will also be advised about breast reconstruction to avoid psychological problems when returning to daily life and work.

Ms. Dung has participated in planting forests, improving the environment and quality of life since her student days, and has so far planted more than 10,000 trees in many provinces and cities. During her treatment at the hospital, she often discussed with her teammates to continue the forest planting project in Dong Nai .

"Looking at the pictures of trees growing every day sent by my teammates, I feel like I have more strength to overcome cancer, live a meaningful life and do more for the community," the patient said.

Nguyen Tram

* Patient's name has been changed

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