Carcinophobia: The Fear of cancer
In our world today, the word cancer has become more common place than many of us would like thereby reducing the fear of cancer a little. Twenty years ago, this fear of cancer was very high and cancer was considered a horrible disease that was sure to leave the patient with a shortened life span. Today, however, cancer is treatable and patients are being given a second chance at life that they would not have received not too many years ago. But, with the huge influx of cancer patients came the intense fear of cancer. This fear of cancer is known as Carcinophobia and is becoming a more common social anxiety disorder than many would like.
The fear of cancer is often thought of as a normal reaction to life. But, for some people, the need to avoid cancer causing agents, places and situations is about more than just keeping a healthy mind and body and elongating life. The fear of cancer is debilitating for these patients and they often center every decision they make in life on whether or not that decision will cause cancer later on in life.
This intense fear of cancer is then termed as a social anxiety disorder. As with many other social anxiety disorders, the fear of cancer can lead to further conditions and further problems if left untreated. At the heart of the fear of cancer is the need to avoid carcinogens. Carcinogens are cancer causing. Carcinogens can be found in foods, the air and even in the products we use in our homes every day. If left untreated, the fear of cancer and cancer causing agents can lead to agoraphobia in the person with the fear of cancer.
The social reaction involving the person with the fear of cancer is often very great. They may react with greater levels of anger and anxiety when people around them engage in activities they fell may cause cancer. The person with the fear of cancer will often not eat out in restaurants, will rarely visit social gathering places that allow smoking and generally make every choice on a daily basis with their fear of cancer in mind. They may also find themselves treating people very close to them with anger and angst if they feel those persons are bringing a carcinogen into their homes and their lives.
The fear of cancer itself is a common fear. Cancer, though treatable, is still thought of as a deadly condition. But, when that normal fear of cancer leaves a person with the inability to react normally and interact normally in social situations, a doctor or psychotherapist can help. The sooner a person with an intense fear of cancer gets help, the sooner they will be able to overcome the anxiety related to the fear of cancer and begin to regain a control over that fear of cancer.