Do you have cancerophobia?

Cancer is scary thing – and it’s no wonder some people develop a real fear of it. Psychologists call it cancerophobia. Someone suffering from this anxiety disorder can become completely preoccupied with the fear that they either have, or will get cancer. Phobia expert, Dr. Michael J. Telch, reminds us it’s perfectly normal and even healthy to have some level of concern about cancer. That’s what motivates a lot of us to make healthy adjustments in our lives and get regular checks, tests and scans. But people suffering from cancerophobia can really get caught up in a vicious cycle that can interfere with living a normal life. Here are some signs that you’re too worried:

• Excessively checking for lumps or other abnormalities on the body

• Constantly reading about or checking for symptoms on the internet

• Scheduling repeated medical checkups over a short period of time

• Fear that thinking or talking about cancer will increase your risk

Dr. Telch says the first step to overcoming cancerophobia is to try to stop acting as if you already have cancer. Resist the urge to ask family members for assurance and avoid cancer related internet sites. You’ll also need to resist checking your body too often. Doing that sends a message to your brain that something is wrong. Ask your doctor help you make a schedule of necessary checkups and self-exams – and stick to it. The good news about cancerophobia is that fears can dissipate in a matter of weeks once you recognize and address the behavior.