by
Behavior Change Specialist Cecelia Neblett-Brathwaite
CARCINOPHOBIA,
OR
FEAR
OF
GETTING
CANCER
The word cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to spread to other cells. Even though individuals may have different levels of fear to being diagnosed with cancer, a general approach to managing that fear is not applicable to individual problems with each challenge or stage of the cancer.
Stages of cancer mark or measure how far a cancer has spread when it is first diagnosed. Staging helps to describe when cancer is located, if or where it has spread, or whether it has affected other parts of the body.
Carcinophobia, or fear of getting cancer, typically affects those who have had the disease or have had a family member affected. Having a family member diagnosed with cancer and seeing the deterioration of the body and the helpless fears that increase with the disease, is mentally crippling to the individual and the family.
For family members, the slightest pain or appearance of a new mole or lump of the body is a possibility that may be a sign of cancer. What will follow is anxiety about everything associated with planning a funeral. Questions may arise like who will take of the children and family? Who will pay outstanding debts?
These concerns and many others may arise even before a single diagnosis is made by a doctor. Eventually, the fear can become overwhelming. Persons drastically change their diet; try every new drug or natural herb used to stop the cancer.
The fear of getting cancer may be considered a phobia or mental illness, and so is as dangerous. The good news is that fear is also treatable.
Cognitive behavioural therapy is a type of psychotherapeutic treatment that helps people learn how to identify and change a negative influence on behaviour and emotion. Cognitive behaviour therapy can help people understand, cope and develop strategies to help them manage and heal their phobia.
Behaviour change strategies can be used to express emotions and create new health approaches to fear and anxiety.
The stages of Behaviour therapy:
1. Pre-contemplation – Stage at which there is no intention to change thoughts.
Example: I am not changing because most of the women in my family have breast cancer.
2. Contemplation – thinking about change.
Example: I am not sure if I should make an appointment to get an ultrasound. Is it worth it?
3. Preparation – Preparing to make a change after understanding the personal damage and the strength that is innate.
Example: I will make an appointment to have a mammogram or an ultrasound test to determine if I have cancerous cells.
4 .Action – Thinking positive or better understanding the signs and symptoms of carcinophobia.
Example: I will educate myself about cancer to reduce the fears that contribute to the nightmares that I have about dying like my dad.
5. Relapse – Relapse is a process that is a part of the healing and change of thought.
It is a part of the process that should be recognised as soon as it happens for change to appear.
Example: I promise the doctor that I will not assume that every pain in my throat is cancer, but the death of my cousin to cancer makes it difficult to stop.
Understanding the stages and signs of cancer and carcinophobia will allow the individual to better understand the fears of getting cancer before they develop it.
Carcinophobia typically affects those who have had the disease or have known persons afflicted with the disease. It is normal to experience fear of any kind but people with carcinophobia often take their fear to the extreme and when that fear impacts their everyday life it becomes a source for concern.
The strategy allows people to become aware of their unreasonable thoughts and fears so they can view the situation more realistically and react in a healthier way.
These challenges are common to most persons who have been affected directly or indirectly by someone affected by cancer.
Support should be available for the family and friends of cancer patients.
