Cancer Part 1: The Case of My Father-in Law

Cancer Part 1: The Case of My Father-in Law

The word ‘cancer’ is an alarming term to those diagnosed of having it. It brings much fear and worry to the patient and family members. Simply, cancer patients normally do not live long. In some cases, patients pass away within months as cancer cells can spread to various parts of the body within a short period of time. Others survive after a number of years.

Cancer should also be your concern. According to Health Minister of Malaysia, every year about 40,000 Malaysians are diagnosed with cancer but there are only 39 oncologists (cancer specialist doctors) to treat them. With the current 26 million people, Malaysia needs about 200 oncologists (Yeow 2008).The question is whether one has to die earlier as most cancer patients die within 5 years. Is the conventional treatment of radiotherapy and chemotherapy the only way of extending a cancer patient’s life? I am sharing with you how my family handles the situation of a cancer patient, my father-in-law, without going through any radiotherapy or chemotherapy. He survived cancer for 13 years (1996-2009) and passed away in peace.

Why Cancer?
My father-in-law, the late Mr. Soong Kwang Chuan, was a primary school teacher before retiring in 1990. His family had been staying in the school quarters at Padang Rengas New Village, Kuala Kangsar, Perak since 1957. Well-known for his kindness and helpfulness, he had contributed much to local development and was active in the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a component political party of the ruling Barisan Nasional government in Malaysia. His involvement in social organizations and MCA was part of his personal efforts to assist in promoting ethnic harmony and development of the Chinese community in the area. In politics, as secretary of the local MCA branch, he represented the party to attend functions and meetings at divisional, state and national levels. He was also a part-time news correspondent for Nanyang Siang Pau, a major Chinese daily in Malaysia. For those who had interacted with him, he was a nice man and never nor hardly said ‘No’ to any requests. He helped in organizing various local activities, ranging from weddings to funerals. In recognition of his contribution, he was conferred Pingat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Seri Paduka Baginda Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the King of Malaysia in 1984.

Why did such a kind-hearted man have cancer? Looking back, we realised that it was quite natural for him to have cancer. Being involved in various social, political and cultural functions since his early 20s, he had enjoyed all the ‘nice’ foods. As Chinese say, enjoying good food is part of our daily life. The Chinese saying “Sickness comes through the mouth” and the Spanish grandmother’s saying, “Per la bocca, muere el pes” (the fish dies because of its mouth) are equally true. The nice food was killing him slowly and silently. Increasing evidence has shown that “aside from alcohol and smoking, food and cancer have the strongest link” (Lai 1993).