在历史的长河中，古人以他们的智慧和观察，为我们留下了无数宝贵的文化遗产。《黄帝内经》作为中医的瑰宝，不仅记录了古代的医疗知识，还蕴含了古人对生命、健康与疾病的深刻理解，问题来了：在《黄帝内经》中，真的存在“癌症”这一概念吗？
穿越千年的“癌”字初现
我们要明确一点，《黄帝内经》成书于战国至西汉时期，距今已有两千多年的历史，在那个时代，人们还没有“癌症”这一现代医学术语，这并不意味着《黄帝内经》对“癌”这一类疾病毫无提及，在古代文献中，“癌”虽未直接命名，但根据其症状描述，我们可以追溯到与之相似的病症记载。
症状描述的微妙暗示
《黄帝内经》中虽然没有直接使用“癌症”一词，但书中对某些疾病的描述，如“积”、“癥”、“瘕”等，与现代医学中的某些癌症症状有相似之处。《灵枢·百病始生篇》中提到：“积之始生，得寒乃生……寒气客于肠外，与卫气相搏……内击于肠，则肠鸣飧泄不化。”这里的“积”字，就与现代医学中某些恶性肿瘤的形成过程相呼应。
古代的“治未病”思想
《黄帝内经》强调“治未病”，即预防疾病的发生，这一思想与现代癌症防治理念不谋而合，书中提到：“虚邪贼风，避之有时；恬淡虚无，真气从之；精神内守，病安从来。”这不仅是古代的养生之道，也是现代人预防癌症的重要原则，通过保持健康的生活方式、调节情绪、增强体质，可以有效降低患癌风险。
古代治疗智慧的启示
虽然《黄帝内经》没有直接提出“癌症”这一概念，但其对疾病的治疗方法和理念却为后世提供了宝贵的参考，书中提到的针灸、中药、导引（类似现代的体操）等治疗方法，不仅在当时被广泛应用，而且对现代医学仍具有重要价值。《素问·异法方宜论》中提到的不同地域的疾病治疗方法，反映了古人对疾病与环境、生活习惯之间关系的深刻理解。
现代视角下的“癌”与《黄帝内经》
当我们用现代医学的眼光回望《黄帝内经》，会发现其中蕴含的许多智慧与现代癌症研究不谋而合，书中强调的“阴阳平衡”、“五行相生相克”等理论，与现代生物学的细胞增殖、基因表达等概念有着微妙的联系，这不禁让我们思考：古人是否已经通过观察和实践，触及到了癌症发生的某些本质？
虽然《黄帝内经》中没有直接使用“癌症”这一术语，但其中对疾病的描述、治疗方法和预防思想，为后世医学特别是肿瘤学的发展提供了宝贵的启示，可以说，《黄帝内经》是连接古代智慧与现代医学的一座桥梁，它让我们明白，无论是过去还是现在，面对疾病，我们都应保持敬畏之心，同时以科学和人文的视角去探索、去治疗、去预防，正如古人所云：“上工治未病”，在癌症面前，预防永远是最重要的武器。
Full Translation:
A Dialogue Across Time: Huangdi Neijing and Modern Cancer Concepts
In the vast expanse of history, the ancient people left us countless treasures of cultural heritage with their wisdom and observations. The "Huangdi Neijing," as a gem of traditional Chinese medicine, not only records ancient medical knowledge but also embodies their profound understanding of life, health, and disease. So, does the "Huangdi Neijing" really contain the concept of "cancer"?
The Initial Mention of "Cancer" Across Centuries
Firstly, it is important to note that the "Huangdi Neijing" was written during the Warring States to West Han periods, more than 2,000 years ago. At that time, people did not have the modern medical term "cancer." However, this does not mean the "Huangdi Neijing" had no mention of such diseases. Although the term "cancer" was not directly used in ancient literature, descriptions of certain diseases, such as "accumulation," "mass," and "tumor," resemble symptoms of modern cancers. For instance, in "Lingshu Bai Bing Shi Sheng," it states: "The beginning of accumulation is caused by cold... Cold invades the exterior of the intestines, combining with the defensive qi... It attacks the intestines internally, causing intestinal sounds, loose stools, and indigestion." Here, the word "accumulation" echoes with the formation process of certain modern cancers.
Ancient Wisdom on Preventing Disease
The "Huangdi Neijing" emphasizes "preventing disease before it occurs." This idea aligns with modern cancer prevention strategies. The text states: "Avoid the unseasonable winds; be contented and tranquil; keep one's spirit within; then disease will not come." This is not only ancient health preservation but also an essential principle for modern cancer prevention. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regulating emotions, and enhancing physical fitness, we can effectively reduce the risk of cancer.
Insights from Ancient Treatment Methods
Although the "Huangdi Neijing" does not directly propose the term "cancer," its treatment methods and philosophies provide valuable references for later generations. The mentioned treatments such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, and qigong (similar to modern calisthenics) were widely used in ancient times and still hold significant value in modern medicine. For example, in "Su Wen Yifa Fangyiu Lun," different regional treatment methods reflect the ancient understanding of the relationship between disease, environment, and living habits.
Modern Perspective on "Cancer" and the "Huangdi Neijing"
When we look back at the "Huangdi Neijing" with a modern medical perspective, we find many of its wisdom aligns with modern cancer research. The theories of "yin-yang balance" and "five elements interdependence" touch upon certain essentials of cancer occurrence in modern biology, such as cell proliferation and gene expression. This makes us ponder whether the ancients already touched upon some essence of cancer through observation and practice.
Conclusion: A Dialogue Across Time
Although the "Huangdi Neijing" does not directly use the term "cancer," its descriptions of diseases, treatment methods, and prevention philosophies provide valuable insights for the development of traditional Chinese medicine and modern oncology. It serves as a bridge connecting ancient wisdom with contemporary medicine. It reminds us that in the face of disease, we should maintain a sense of awe while exploring, treating, and preventing it with a scientific and humanistic perspective. As the ancients said, "The skilled physician treats disease before it occurs." In the context of cancer, prevention is always the most crucial weapon.
