Many cases vividly tell us that cancer does not equal death. If you or your loved ones or friends have cancer, it is possible to be cured if you take some correct measures to cope with it. According to the information of World Health Organization, the five-year cure rate of cancer in developed countries has reached 45-50%. Then how to improve the 5-year cure rate and prevent recurrence and metastasis? Tumor treatment and recovery are divided into several stages according to the progressive procedures of tumor treatment, and there are different focuses in each stage of treatment. By understanding the focus of each stage of treatment, patients should have a clear idea when to cooperate with doctors and what to rely on their own efforts to consolidate the curative effect. From clinical treatment to recovery, tumor treatment is divided into three stages, namely: (1) clinical treatment period: the whole process of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy; (2) high-risk period of metastasis and recurrence: within one year after clinical treatment; (3) recovery period (stable period): one year to five years after clinical treatment. In each of these three phases, there are different treatment priorities. Taking different targeted treatments in different stages is essential to ensure the long-term efficacy. So, what should patients in different treatment stages pay attention to for their own situation? For most tumor patients, surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the first choice of treatment, and it is best to take corresponding surgery or radiotherapy measures as soon as conditions permit to eliminate tumor cells to the maximum extent. For example, strengthening nutrition, improving appetite, controlling symptoms, Chinese herbal medicine and so on. In other words, during the clinical treatment, three aspects should be achieved simultaneously: tumor suppression, immune enhancement and effective improvement of symptoms to ensure the best efficacy. 2. High risk period of metastasis and recurrence: According to statistics, among all cases of metastasis and recurrence of malignant tumor patients after surgery and radiotherapy, up to 69% of metastasis and recurrence occur within six months, and the proportion of metastasis and recurrence within one year is over 90%. Why is there such a high percentage of recurrence of metastasis within one year even after the intensive treatment of surgery and radiotherapy? There are two main reasons: First, most malignant tumors are already metastatic when they are detected. However, there is no way to detect microscopic lesions below 0.5 cm in diameter by means of CT and ultrasound. Secondly, radiotherapy after surgery cannot completely kill tumor cells, and it is not ideal for tumor cells with inactive differentiation or dormant stage. The complete killing of “residual” tumor cells mainly depends on the restoration of the function of autoimmune system and the activation of immunophagocytes. In contrast, radiotherapy can severely damage the immune function of the body for tumor patients who have been severely injured by disease and surgery. In this case, the tumor cells which lose the monitoring of normal immune cells will multiply rapidly again. Therefore, within one year after clinical treatment, tumor patients should not think that surgery and radiotherapy have been done and there should be no more problems. The “high-risk period” must be given great attention by cancer patients! Then, how to grasp this critical period to prevent tumor metastasis and recurrence? Immune reconstruction and restoration of the body’s resistance to disease is the key to control and kill the “remaining” cancer cells and to pass the dangerous period of tumor recurrence and metastasis. For example: using various kinds of Chinese and Western drugs that can enhance the immune function of the body, taking Chinese medicine that has the effect of supporting and fighting against cancer, etc. Biological agents: interferon, interleukin-II, thymidine, etc. Chinese medicine preparations: various types of polysaccharides: shiitake mushroom polysaccharide, yunzhi polysaccharide, yunzhi glycopeptide, nux vomica polysaccharide, etc. Chinese intravenous preparations: Kanglaite injection, Leixiangen injection, Ginseng injection, Ginseng pulse injection, etc. Oral capsules: Ginseng I capsule, Zhengdekang capsule, etc. and the most effective and widely used Chinese decoction in clinical practice. 3. Rehabilitation period: After the disease is controlled and stabilized, patients in the rehabilitation period should turn to various methods to avoid the influence of environmental factors on the body and to correct the “internal environment” which causes the occurrence and development of tumor. Why some people will have tumors and why some people do not have tumors is due to the differences in genetics, working and living environment, diet and other aspects of individuals, which is called “individual differences”. According to their actual situation, tumor patients can take targeted measures to implement their own recovery plans, which generally include the following aspects: 1. Regular review and long-term follow-up After surgery and radiotherapy, there are still residual tumor cells and the internal environment of tumor producing organism. “Therefore, in order to prevent recurrence and metastasis, consolidate the therapeutic effect and ensure recovery, regular examination is very necessary. Therefore, in order to prevent recurrence and metastasis, consolidate the effect of treatment and ensure recovery, regular examination is very necessary. For patients who are under treatment, it is necessary to have regular checkups. The review includes tumor related antigens, X-ray, ultrasound, CT, liver and kidney function, etc. This is important for detecting minor and potential diseases. This is very meaningful for detecting small and potential lesions to facilitate timely control of lesions and prevent recurrence. For all patients, long-term follow-up visits should be made so that the doctor can keep track of the patient’s life and work, so that the doctor can make timely treatment suggestions and life guidance. Second, the use of Chinese medicine to adjust and promote the balance of yin and yang qi and blood in the organism’s internal organs. According to Chinese medicine, tumors arise because of the weakening and imbalance of qi and blood in the internal organs of the body, resulting in a series of pathological changes. Therefore, Chinese medicine treatment is used to balance the qi and yin and yang of the internal organs and adjust the function of the internal organs, which means to change the internal environment of the body that produces tumors and eliminate the conditions that produce tumors, so as to achieve the purpose of curing tumors. According to our clinical observation and research results, this is a more effective rehabilitation measure and is also the main rehabilitation means adopted by patients at present. Diet regulation: Diet regulation is very important for disease recovery, including avoiding unreasonable diet and diet therapy. Epidemiological studies show that eating foods processed by pickling, smoking, drying and frying are closely related to cancers of oropharynx, esophagus, stomach, nasal cavity and larynx; intake of aflatoxin-contaminated food is related to liver cancer; poor eating habits such as irregular diet, eating too fast and overeating are related to stomach cancer. For patients in recovery as well as normal people, these unreasonable dietary habits must be changed to avoid the occurrence of cancer or the creation of new tumors. Secondly, through diet therapy, cancer patients can strengthen nutrition, improve the general condition of the body, support the righteousness and dispel the evil, improve the immunity of the body, and prevent the recurrence of cancer and the recurrence of other cancers. The requirements of various nutrients in the daily diet are: Protein food should be slightly higher than normal, such as milk, fish, eggs and meat. The amount of fat should be similar to that of a normal person and should not be increased. The amount of sugar foods can affect the amount of total calorie intake, which should not be too high and can be slightly lower than normal. Foods containing fiber should be consumed more often, which can reduce the absorption of toxic substances in the intestine. Certain inorganic salts, vitamins and trace elements are beneficial for tumor suppression and should be consumed more than normal. Continuing to maintain the traditional cereal-based diet, reducing salt intake, and eating more fresh vegetables and fruits as well as soy products will help to control cancer. Change bad habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle The occurrence of many tumors is related to bad habits, such as smoking, irregular living, excessive fatigue, as well as the above-mentioned preference for pickled, smoked and fried foods and partial diet are all potential factors for the occurrence of cancer. Therefore, changing bad habits is the most effective measure to prevent cancer and the first task to prevent cancer in the 21st century, the most urgent of which is to quit smoking. Cigarette smoke contains dozens of harmful substances, including tobacco tar, 3,4-benzopyrene and other carcinogens. Smokers have a higher incidence of lung cancer, liver cancer, and head and neck tumors than non-smokers. Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of lung cancer can be 10.8 times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers. Therefore, it is necessary to quit the bad habit of smoking. Secondly, in the process of cancer recovery, each patient should arrange their life and living well, ensure sufficient sleep and get up on time; they can take part in certain outdoor activities, usually walking, doing exercises, qigong and other non-strenuous exercises, to the extent that they do not feel tired. Exercise can regulate immunity, promote metabolism and physical recovery, as well as improve blood circulation and speed up the excretion of toxic substances, thus reducing the possibility of cancer recurrence and metastasis. Fifth, face life squarely, maintain an open, optimistic, brave and tenacious spirit, and adjust bad emotions. Cancer is not an incurable disease. It is necessary to overcome the bad psychological reactions such as fear, disappointment, loneliness, depression and resentment brought about by cancer. If one is trapped in such bad emotions for a long time, it will only make one’s immune function more suppressed and promote further development of the disease. Therefore, patients can keep themselves in a positive and happy state of mind by cultivating their interests and diverting their attention from the disease through playing the piano, chess, calligraphy and painting, or participating in some social welfare activities within their ability, so as to mobilize and stimulate the intrinsic anti-disease ability of the body and achieve the purpose of preventing recurrence and metastasis. In conclusion, cancer recovery is not unattainable as long as we treat it with a positive attitude and scientific lifestyle.