A scary three-letter word: is it possible not to be afraid of cancer

Symptoms

The main symptom of this phobia is the obsessive fear of getting cancer and dying from it. It is common to pay increased attention to one’s internal sensations; any discomfort provokes the thought that this is a manifestation of cancer. Much attention is also paid to searching for information about cancer on the Internet and available literature.

Often unnecessary examinations and tests are carried out to exclude cancer; at the initial stages, good research results and the doctor’s conclusions about the absence of oncology calm down for a while and remove the influx of fears. But, over time, the conviction that cancer has begun grows stronger and cannot be dissuaded.

Isolated cancerophobia is rare; in this case, they speak of cancerophobia syndrome. Most often, obsessive fears of cancer are accompanied by other phobias, increased anxiety, asthenic phenomena, and vegetative-vascular dystonia (VSD).

Cancerophobia can be observed as one of the symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic attacks, neurasthenia, depression, schizotypal disorders, consequences of organic damage to the nervous system, psychosomatic diseases and other diseases.

How patients react

People react differently to emotionally difficult news and events. However, in the 60s of the last century, psychiatrist Kübler-Ross found general patterns of psychological reactions that arise in most people and in 1969 proposed her theory. Initially, the Kübler-Ross model of grief was used to describe the emotional state of dying people and those who have lost a loved one, but it has also been used in other areas, including oncology and even in career psychology. The five stages of grief apply not only to the patient, but also to his loved ones:

Denial is a person’s first reaction to hearing a diagnosis. This is a defense mechanism that the psyche turns on in response to difficult news. The person doesn’t even believe that he might have cancer; it seems to him that something was mixed up in the laboratory, that the doctor made a mistake with the diagnosis or took another person’s medical history.

“When faced with a cancer diagnosis, most people initially react with shock and disbelief, followed by anxiety, anger and depression. An acute reaction to stress usually weakens after a few weeks, when they gradually come to terms with the disease, Nikita Prilepsky shares his experience. — Such patients can benefit from a friendly discussion of the current situation with the doctor and emotional support from family members and close friends. Depending on the stage, even suicidal thoughts may arise, so it can be extremely difficult to predict the clear behavior of each patient.”

Anger. When the patient returns to “real” life, he reacts to the news with anger. The question most often asked is: “Why me?” Believers, as a rule, blame God for illness and are angry that he did not protect him. A person blames others for his illness and complains about life’s injustice. At this stage it is important to release and process anger. The sooner a person releases anger, the sooner it will go away.
Deal. The patient seems to be conducting internal negotiations with the disease: “If I am cured, I will do charity work,” “If remission occurs, I will never smoke again.” Believers try to make a deal with God, for example, “If my husband is cured, I will become a better wife, I will do everything for him.” With these trades, the patient or loved one is trying to reassure himself, this gives him a short-term feeling of carelessness.
Depression. It occurs when the patient begins to fully realize that he has cancer. As a rule, people have a feeling of inner emptiness, guilt for events in the past and a feeling of hopelessness. Some people experience apathy - the desire to do anything disappears, because many believe that any activity is already meaningless. At this stage, a person prepares for loss in the future.
Adoption. The patient resigns himself to the state of affairs and accepts the situation as it is, without trying to bargain, blame or get angry. He agrees with reality. Basically, a person spends time alone, thinks a lot about the value of life and calmly perceives the outcome of the disease, even if it is fatal.

“The response to the disease depends on stereotypes about oncology, past experience of interaction with medical institutions and doctors, as well as on whether there is a family history of oncology,” says Dmitry Olkin, head of the oncology department at GMS. — The reaction may vary depending on the stage of acceptance of the diagnosis and prognosis: shock, denial, aggression, depression, acceptance. Much depends on the personality type: in one patient anxiety and suspicion predominate, in another - aggression, denial and negativism.”

Signs of grief typically include crying and tearfulness, headaches, sleep disturbances, feelings of meaninglessness, withdrawal, erratic behavior, anxiety, restlessness and malaise. At this time, the patient questions all his ideological beliefs, including religious ones, if he is a believer.

Cancer and cancerophobia

Cancer

- one of the severe forms of cancer. It has a malignant course and a poor prognosis if the disease is detected late. One of the leading causes of death in old age. According to statistics, the incidence of oncological diseases and cancer in particular in people suffering from cancerophobia is several times lower than in the general population.

This can be explained by several reasons

Firstly, people prone to phobias are usually physically healthy people and therefore diseases of internal organs are observed less frequently in them.

Secondly, due to fear for their health, they are distinguished by frequent (more than necessary) visits to doctors, examinations and tests, and therefore all their existing diseases are detected at an early stage, which allows for timely application of medical measures.

Thirdly, carcinophobes, due to their tendency to causeless anxiety, have well-developed vegetative centers that promote good capillary blood flow and, accordingly, high endurance of the body, which also determines good physical health.

How to protect yourself from cancer?

The most universal and proven method is medical examination. Regular and preventive observation by a doctor allows you to identify any disease in the early stages, cancer - at the stage of a precancerous condition. When the disease is just beginning, it is easier to cope with it.

For cancer patients, this rule becomes an obsession. They are ready, on their own initiative, to take tests for tumor markers (blood indicators indicating cancer) an infinite number of times, undergo examinations and consultations with oncologists.

How to get rid of the fear of getting cancer?

In mild cases, a consultation with a doctor is sufficient, at which it is enough to convince the patient that he does not have cancer or even a predisposition to it. It is very important if the doctor points out high anxiety and teaches how to cope with this anxiety.

How mental status affects treatment

A person's mental status influences the outcome of treatment. For example, a 2011 meta-analysis shows that people with depression may have worse cancer-related outcomes than cancer patients without depression. This is due, for example, to the fact that such patients are more likely to miss therapy sessions, are more susceptible to alcohol addiction, and are less likely to follow doctor’s orders.

The cohort study also shows that people with dementia, mental disorders and substance abuse have lower chances of surviving a cancer diagnosis.

But there is another side. One study found that patients with fewer depressive symptoms had a longer average life expectancy after a cancer diagnosis than patients with severe depression. People who believe in their cure follow their doctor’s orders more diligently, do not skip taking medications, and visit the doctor and physical therapy more often.

Treatment of cancerophobia

In more severe and long-lasting cases of cancerophobia, dissuading oneself is not enough. Treatment required. The first step is a consultation with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist. During the consultation, the doctor will clarify the condition and, if necessary, prescribe therapy. The following techniques are recommended that have a therapeutic effect for obsessive fear of getting cancer:

Psychotherapy. The most effective are cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic directions. The former teach you how to manage your anxiety, the latter help you get rid of your phobia by identifying the unconscious causes of fear.
Biofeedback therapy. Advanced technology that combines elements of psychotherapy and computer technology. Helps reduce anxiety and fear-related thinking disorders.
Pharmacotherapy. Some antidepressants and antipsychotics have an antiphobic effect and are used in courses. Tranquilizers can quickly relieve symptoms of fear and panic.
Physiotherapy: electro-sleep, electro-analgesia. By reducing overexcitation of the subcortical structures of the brain, it reduces the severity of anxiety.

About hypochondria (excessive concern for one's health), which often accompanies cancerophobia, see HERE. You can read about other phobias HERE.

I'm afraid I have cancer

Dmitry, Samara

March 10, 2020

Hello, in general, I have a problem and this problem does not allow me to live in peace, I worry and suspect the worst, but first things first. In recent years I have been suffering from constant diarrhea, and if 2-3 years ago I managed with Acipol, now everything is much worse. At first, the lower abdomen felt tight and the mushy stool was light in color, constant heartburn tormented me, I coped with it with the help of omeprazole, but in 2021 my mother unexpectedly died, there was a lot of stress, and in November of the same year gastritis worsened and continued along the same lines, drank Denol, drank a bunch various antibiotics and antimicrobials, including bactistatin, hilak, bifiform, now the stomach practically does not bother me, but there is trouble with the intestines, constant pain and cramping, diarrhea, often foamy and with mucus. As soon as I start drinking promicrobials, everything goes away immediately, but not for long. Now I’m taking Enterol and Nexium, before that I took Alphanormix for 7 days, there’s a lot of gas, there’s a feeling of an unemptied bowel, the gas comes out, the sensations become normal (for a short while). I apologize for providing such information, I’m very worried, I’m afraid that it’s oncology, on the Internet what they write is based on the symptoms and It looks and doesn’t look like it, the doctor at the clinic puts it all down to osteochondrosis and the problems of my obsession (although if it weren’t for the pain, I wouldn’t have gone to see it). So I went to 4 gastroenterologists, there is practically no result, or it is short-term, I ask them what additional examinations can be done so as not to miss/miss, they say it is not necessary yet. Tell me, is there any reason to worry? FGS was last done on 01/30/2020 - superficial gastritis, reflux esophagitis And indirect signs of hiatal hernia ultrasound of the abdominal cavity - an inflection in the gallbladder, diffuse changes in the pancreas, all organs are of normal size and as the ophthalmologist said there is nothing to worry about X-ray of the stomach in December 2019 - gastritis, duodenitis, reflux, slow evacuation X-ray of the stomach with a passage into the small intestine - enteritis (preliminary), the contrast passed into the large intestine in an hour, the radiologist speaks too quickly General blood test 02/03/2020 - everything is within normal limits Sugar-3.7 GGT -50 HbA1c(ukbrbhjdfyyysq Hb)- 5.1 Biochemistry 12/16/2019 Asat-17 Alat-27 Total bilirubin- 32.3 Direct-9.9 Indirect- 22.4 GGT-49 Triglycerides-1.43 cholesterol-4.05 cholesterol-HDL- 1.05 cholesterol-LDL- 2.35 atherogenic coefficient-2.9 Alkaline phosphatase-86 Bilirubin has been increased since the summer, gastroenterologists say Gilbert's syndrome, but no analysis was done for it. Yesterday I did an express test for occult blood, immunochrome The heme test showed a positive result, although the strip responsible for the result was very pale and appeared after 5 minutes. Help me with my question, is there any reason to worry and where to turn?

The question is closed

analysis

X-ray of the stomach

drank denol

How to protect yourself from misconceptions?

In order not to succumb to common misconceptions, it is necessary to develop critical thinking.

A critical assessment of any information that comes to you can remove many contradictions and protect against misconceptions and myths in matters of health.

Good advice for doctors would be to use recommendations and methods of evidence-based medicine, which suggests relying only on scientifically proven actions that are safe for the patient’s health.

There is a certain decision-making algorithm that doctors try to follow:

Select the question you want answered.
Get the best evidence, the best answers.
Critically evaluate the best answers and evidence.
Use the information you have critically read and comprehended in relation to your clinical practice.

Also, at any stage, it is necessary to pay attention to the use of reliable sources of information.

Lead a healthy lifestyle

Stop smoking. Lung cancer is one of the most common and difficult to treat cancer diagnoses.
Reduce your alcohol intake. Alcohol affects the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and esophagus.
Watch your weight. There is a proven statistical link between excess weight and many types of cancer, such as esophageal, colorectal, breast, uterine and kidney cancer.
Reduce the share of fried and fatty foods in your diet.
Increase your physical activity.
Prevent infectious diseases. Infections are responsible for approximately 22% of cancer deaths in the developing world and 6% in industrialized countries. The most common cases: viral hepatitis B and C leads to the development of liver cancer; human papillomavirus - to the development of cervical cancer; The bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of developing stomach cancer. Timely vaccination and following simple hygiene rules will help avoid contracting these and other infections.
Be in nature more often. Chemical carcinogens in our environment are responsible for approximately 1-4% of all cancers.
Protect your skin from the sun. Ultraviolet radiation is responsible for the development of most skin cancers.

All this will not only reduce the likelihood of cancer, but will also significantly improve health and improve the quality of life.

Antiperspirant use leads to breast cancer

A study was conducted in which 813 women aged 20 to 74 years with breast cancer took part.

According to this study, the use of antiperspirants is absolutely not associated with the development of breast cancer.

Subsequently, several more studies were conducted that similarly confirmed the absence of a cause-and-effect relationship between the occurrence of breast cancer and the use of antiperspirants.

Thus, there is currently no evidence linking the use of antiperspirants and the occurrence of breast cancer.