Cancer phobia, also known as carcinophobia, is a common

phobia A phobia is an anxiety disorder, defined by an irrational, unrealistic, persistent and excessive fear of an object or situation. Phobias typically result in a rapid onset of fear and are usually present for more than six months. Those affected ...

and an

anxiety disorder Anxiety disorders are a group of mental disorders characterized by significant and uncontrollable feelings of anxiety and fear such that a person's social, occupational, and personal functions are significantly impaired. Anxiety may cause phys ...

characterized by the chronic fear of developing

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

. It can manifest in tremendous feelings of sadness,

fear Fear is an unpleasant emotion that arises in response to perception, perceived dangers or threats. Fear causes physiological and psychological changes. It may produce behavioral reactions such as mounting an aggressive response or fleeing the ...

panic Panic is a sudden sensation of fear, which is so strong as to dominate or prevent reason and logical thinking, replacing it with overwhelming feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and frantic agitation consistent with a fight-or-flight reaction. ...

, and distress. In some cases, the phobia can be so extreme that it prevents the individual from living a normal life.

Signs and symptoms

People living with carcinophobia frequently suffer from depression. Sufferers may become reclusive and obsessive over their health. They may feel overwhelmed and fail to carry out their usual functions. The fear is associated with a lack of future planning and an overall poor quality of life.

Causes

Anxieties surrounding cancer are exacerbated by fears of its unpredictability and perceived “indestructibility” as well as associated fears of mortality. Cancer survivors are also susceptible to developing a debilitating fear of recurrence due to their previous experience with the disease. Half of all cancer survivors report a moderate to high fear of recurrence. Cancer phobia can also appear in people suffering from

Hypochondria Hypochondriasis or hypochondria is a condition in which a person is excessively and unduly worried about having a serious illness. Hypochondria is an old concept whose meaning has repeatedly changed over its lifespan. It has been claimed that th ...

PTSD Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder that develops from experiencing a traumatic event, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, warfare and its associated traumas, natural disaster, traffic collision, ...

is also a common cause of the phobia. Anyone can have the phobia. Several factors can heighten the risk of developing anxiety related to cancer. People may be more susceptible to anxiety if they have undergone certain experiences such as: * Having been previously affected by cancer. * Seeing a loved one develop cancer. * A loved one dying from cancer.

Treatment

Psychotherapeutic approaches such as

Cognitive behavioral therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression, PTSD, and anxiety disorders. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on challenging and chang ...

(CBT) are recommended as effective interventions for managing anxiety in cancer patients. CBT is used for a wide variety of fears and phobias, including carcinophobia. It helps patients to increase awareness of their disorder and provides ways for patients to cope with their emotions. Mind-body techniques are also designed to alleviate anxiety and help manage fears and phobias, including the fear associated with cancer. Relaxation skills aim to relieve fears, stress, and bodily tension. Relaxation skills include progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, and diaphragmatic breathing. Meditation techniques include journaling, meditative movement, yoga practices, tai chi, and mindful dance. Research shows relaxation skills and meditation techniques have small to significant effects on managing anxiety due to cancer.

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Cancer Phobia Phobias