When fear of cancer becomes, for some people, a paralyzing phobia

Below is a short but interestng article about the obsessive fear of getting cancer that consumes some people. Even people with no history or with a small likelihood of contracting the disease, to the point that such fear dominates their lives.

People for whom fear of cancer reaches such debilitating proportions, whose lives become so dominated with fear, that they live in a constant state of terror that the thought of cancer creates in them.

For example, from the article:

"Of all the phobias that exist, the fear of getting cancer can be one of the most debilitating"

"But a person who suffers from carcinophobia carries their fear with them. For them, the slightest pain or the appearance of new mole or lump on the body is a guarantee of cancer"

"Eventually, the fear can become so overwhelming that the person may refuse to leave their safe environment and may shun people because they might be “carrying” carcinogens"

but also:

"Cognitive behavioral therapy can help the person become aware of their unreasonable thoughts and fears so they can view the situation more realistically and react in a healthier way. If all else fails, psychological counseling combined with the use of anxiety disorders medications has shown great results in many people."

But I would find it hard to believe that any of this applies to any of us. As veterans of the cancer experience, we, if any people do, know exactly what is real and not real about getting, having, and being treated for cancer.

Yes, we may now have prudent (that's the word) concern about possible recurrence, maybe even some anxiety awaiting test results and such, but we are beyond the gripping, paralyzing fear of cancer that unfortunately does consume some people.

In short, cancer is not a bogeyman to you and me. Unfortunately, that does not appear to be the case for some.

http://centerforanxietydisorders.com/carcinophobia-or-fear-of-getting-cancer/

If anything, our cancer experience has given my wife and I a "matter of fact" attitude toward cancer. We've both been thru it, plus a few other potentially deadly diseases. There will always be the fear of recurrence, or another cancer, but now it feels like, okay we won that one, if the next one takes one of us out, then so be it.

I've heard the term carciniohobia before. It must be awful to have that. At least cancer can be treated scientifically.

My brother had testicular cancer and my mother breast cancer.
Neither died of it but both had surgeries and further treatment to stop it.
I had a sister in-law that died of ovarian cancer.

But, it wasn't until I got PCa that I really had any thought of it, but even that wasn't pervasive.
But when I became recurrent, that's when the obsessively thinking about it occurred.
It is my evil companion that when I'm not busy, whispers in my ear that he's right behind me.

I'm not obsessive about cancer, but it enters my thoughts too frequently. I had testicular cancer with RT in '09, then prostate cancer in '14. Mom died at 61 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Dad at 83 leukemia. Often I wonder 'is something else going to happen?' Maybe having joined (today) will expose me to resources to help with this internal nagging.
Thanks for the timely post 81gyguy, and the input by others, apparently I'm not alone.

Ha! I missed you Logoslidat and I agree. We are all afraid of deterioration. Its how we manage it. I just did a post on a 'dull ache' that has returned which I describe as provoking a quite panic somewhere in the back of my mind. Its how we manage it. Imagine the smaller mammals of the jungle with all those big cats wandering around. I suppose they just incorporate that danger into what life is. Isn't it funny how that fear isn't there when we drive our cars. There's straight up lunatics on the roads everyday.

Fear is the concern about a future that does not exist today. And yes, I have had days of worry and concern over the future. My reality is that I have no idea what the future of my PC is and I also know that some fear is absolutely normal. As was suggested the key is walking through the fear. Sharing, learning and for some praying are key tools to beat the fear back.

wp174 said...
I'm not obsessive about cancer, but it enters my thoughts too frequently. I had testicular cancer with RT in '09, then prostate cancer in '14. Mom died at 61 non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Dad at 83 leukemia. Often I wonder 'is something else going to happen?' ... apparently I'm not alone.

Welcome to the forum WP. Great bunch of guys (and a few ladies) here. A number of us have a spouse or close family member with cancer in our history, or have faced multiple cancers ourselves. For some, this forum has become an obsession... well, let's say it takes up more of our time than we'd like to admit.

Looking forward to your contribution!

words expressed indict and free....free will is not an accessory...nor is it subject to picking cherries...


Nuff before I cross " too clever by half " hence turning off other"s universe...causing mewling and puking...Oh...and yes feel free to express...your own self...I like the own self "schtick"...got it from the movie Oklahoma...when Curly(Gordon Macray )[HW spell check sucks] greets Jed (Rod Stieger) with how are ya..who replies...How's your own self...Off to surf...gym blah blah blah

Deterioration starts at birth? Not for me it didn't ;-)

Hey Buddy....when did it start for you??

“Alephnull are you sure that some of your daily diet...self inflicted stress...”

I have noticed that sometimes it seems very easy for those who have good treatment outcomes to chastise those who haven’t.

mattamx said...
“Alephnull are you sure that some of your daily diet...self inflicted stress...”

I have noticed that sometimes it seems very easy for those who have good treatment outcomes to chastise those who haven’t.

My ex g/f did this. She told me I deserved what I got. Maybe she was right. Who knows.

again chastise is a word...the reader and the writer...are not always on the same page...especially true when the reader (Mattamx)cherry picks the spin based on mood...or as a troll...to gain wisdom from the writer((logo)...when it is readily available...by turning to it rather then trying to win a debate or saying something just to say it...the front door is always open...use it...an example for Mattamx...Im sure you have chastised...with a positive result...why switch in my case...as far as good outcome treatments....how do you know of my outcome treatment...I don't...except by the F word...I could be riddled with cancer with a psa in triple or more digits...you notice my front door approach with you...by directly answering you...no generic or rhetorical appeal... straight up-at ya..the response-ability in communication is a 2 way street...Im in my lane...where are you...this one of those occasions where a face save...is actually counter productive...regards...to the others...leave it alone...the affect/effect is time less...and true...