The AFP scare

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I believed it was one of my sisters who suggested that all of us should get tested for cancer of which we are at higher risk of getting it due to family history. As a result, I got my mum to be tested with CEA and AFP.

The results of the first round were good but Pathlab advised her to repeat AFP in 3 months time because her level was just under the border. To our surprise, the second result was higher (though not hugely) than the border 😬 Pathlab then recommended abdominal ultrasound. They kindly suggested Pusat Diagnostic Anda if we chose not to go through public hospials, which was helpful because we had no clue where to go.

Naturally, we were all worried and anxious, given our dad's experience with cancer. Fortunately, the appointment was merely 4 days away.

The ultrasound was mostly clean. Yay! There were only two minor issues: fatty liver and a slightly smaller kidney than normal. According to the doctor, fatty liver could elevate AFP. She recommended that my mum test the following every 6 months:

  • AFP
  • Liver function
  • Renal (kidney) function
  • Hepatitis A, B and C (most important is B)

She also advised mum to exercise (more). So we are engaging a physiotherapist to help her with the pain she experiencs when walking, so that she can go for walks as a form of exercise and, more importantly, has a better quality of life. I'm surprised that the surgeons/doctors who performed surgery on her to significantly reduce the pain didn't recommend physiotherapy to her.

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