Anti-Cancer Longevity and Massage

Madame Soong Mei-ling, former First Lady of the Republic of China, was born on March 14, 1897 and passed away on October 24, 2003 at the age of 106. She is widely regarded as one of the most influential female political figures and diplomats spanning three centuries. Strikingly, she was diagnosed with both malignant breast cancer and ovarian cancer around the age of 40, yet lived to 106—an exceptionally rare case of longevity among cancer patients. How did she manage this?

Maintaining a lifelong habit of massage is considered one of the key factors behind her longevity. In her younger years, an aide named Guo Sumei was assigned specifically to provide massage. In addition, two nurses alternated every night before bedtime to perform a full-body routine—from the eyes and face to the chest, abdomen, lower limbs, dorsum of the feet, and soles. In her later years, the requirements for nursing-administered massage became even stricter: two nurses still took turns every day before her nap or before going to sleep at night.

From a medical perspective, massage helps promote blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and improve metabolism. It can reduce fatigue and stress, enhance overall comfort, and support immune function. For older adults in particular, massage is especially valuable for maintaining bodily functions and easing both body and mind.
The method Madame Soong used combined Eastern acupoint theory with Western lymphatic drainage techniques. According to verification by the Department of Dermatology at Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, massaging for three minutes daily over eight weeks can increase facial microcirculation by about 21%, making anti-aging efficacy roughly three times that of standard skincare routines.

Of course, receiving daily care from nurses or massage therapists is a luxurious approach to wellness. Today, however, modern massage chairs and massage robots have brought this beneficial practice into ordinary households.