Cancerophobia is the
abnormal and persistent fear of cancer.
It is also known as Carcinophobia.
Those who suffer from this phobia have an irrational fear of developing
cancer.
A phobia is a strong,
persistent fear of situations, objects, activities or persons. The main
symptom is an excessive and unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject.
Other phobia symptoms include shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat,
sweating, nausea, and an overall feeling of dread. Phobias are the most
common form of anxiety disorders.
Do you suffer from Cancerophobia? Please share your
story. How was it triggered and how does it affect your life?
Posts
2 comments:
Yes, I do have cancerophobia. I guess, I have it thanks to my family health history - my mom died from breast cancer; dad's mom and 4 of her other siblings (from 7) died from the colon cancer.. And I am very, very scared.. Some days more, some days less.. Lately every medical test I have to take becomes like a torture as even the smallest, minor deviation in the results (let's say, in blood test results, or PAP-smear results) causes such a huge stress. When it happens, I can't help myself but researching on the Internet all the worst causes of such deviations. And then it's like an avalanche - I am getting scared to go to the next test. Only in case if I get back absolutely perfect results, I am getting some relief for a year when next routine test should come (with, of course, waves of cancerophobia if I have some minor health issues during this time). I am 36.
My therapist once asked - and what would happen if you would really have a cancer, what would you do? I said - I would fight. And it maybe would sound crazy, but this idea about certainty was more comforting than fear itself.
I am very tired from this fear. I guess, I need to accept it and integrate it within me, learn how to live with it. Honestly, I am not sure if it would be ever possible to overcome it absolutely.
You know, what makes me angry - this absolute non-predictability of who can catch cancer. When some "meta-spiritual" people start to say that cancer is karma or punishment for bad life, I really feel almost personally offended, as cancer does not choose worst ones - my granny was one of the best persons I have ever known; cancer also does not choose the ones with the worst life style - I know people, even monks, who have had the healthiest lifestyle, but they get cancer. It's like a death lottery (why death? - because, guess what, I do not know personally any person who would be totally recovered from the cancer), and it is so unfair!!
I wish the treatment would be found and so many innocent people would not have to suffer..
I believe I have cancerphobia. I live in constant fear every day that any bump, bruise, illness, or pain I feel...is going to be cancer. For the last year I have insisted on getting several medical tests performed due to me convincing myself that I might have cancer. Its costing me lots of money and significant emotional distress. I have had a throat ultrasound, blood work, stool samples, xrays, CT scans, and a mammogram done in the last 12 months. I will notice some symptoms and immediately get on google. I will freak myself out and call a physician to run tests on me. I badly need help with my anxiety.
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