I have a fear of getting cancer or any type of illness, I need help.

So I just came across this posting and I know it was posted 3 years ago so I hope and pray that you are doing much better!  I have been a worry wort for years too.  I tend to be a hypochondriac when it comes to my health and the health of those I love.  If I feel the least bit off I immediately think the worst, like I have some life-threatening illness.  I'm a Christian so I have been listening to some teachings about defeating anxiety with the help of Jesus and His power.  I wanted to share this with you in hopes that it will encourage you.  I am currently dealing with a very severe anxiety attack that has completely obliterated my appetite and given me nausea.  My doctor has put me on a natural supplement of lithium orotate, which I will start taking tomorrow.  This is a natural way to help anxiety and I'm hoping it will help balance me out.  Sometimes people that have spiritual faith think that someone shouldn't need medication but I don't believe that.  We have such complex chemicals in our body and sometimes they get askew and out of alignment.  I'm thankful for medicine that God allowed us to discover to help us!  There is a verse in the Bible that I love, 2 Timothy 1:7, which says "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind."  I love that promise because fear is not from God and He gives us a sound mind!  We can receive His peace.  You can Google verses about fear and anxiety in the Bible--there are many.  You can speak these out loud over yourself.  I believe they are truth and will comfort you.  God bless you!

I have found that going through a fearful episode makes me a little bit stronger each time. It is like I am learning to accept the potential reality of the thing that is scaring me. The other thing I found very helpful was volunteering for hospice care. We are all going to die. Every one of us. We have to accept that fact. Some die much better than others. I want to die well.

Hi I know this is 3 yrs ago but was wondering how you were doing and what help you received as reading your post I am going through pretty much the same as you were then. 

I'm the same I'm a male 50 years old .And I'm am petrified of the word cancer if the advert comes on tv I have to turn it over  straight away .I've been like this ever since my teens .Every little pain I got the first thing I think  Cancer. I go from one part of my body to the other at the moment I'm convinced I've got pancreatic cancer because ive had stools that were yellow and sloppy and floated and a mild pain in my upper left abdomen that always there .I go to bed with it and wake up with it .All started on  my 50 birthday I had a few drinks at home with the wife but I had nothing to eat all that day .the next morning woke up with this dull ache in upper abdomen .had this 3 weeks now constant .I'm sure its anxiety my stools are normal now just this dull ache is there  but I keep thinking about the pain and cant take my mind off it I've had bloods done on my liver came back fine. This anxiety as took over my life for years now I've been on that many meds no relief ive tried talking therapy no good its like I cant get this anxiety out of my brain its torcher .some days don't want to get up out of bed because I know what's in store al day .All the people out there suffering from this health anxiety I know what you are going through its awful and draining every day I go through it I'm at the doctors more times than I'm at home .I've every test going all negative but I'm still doubting them its mad .how anxiety makes pain is unreal the brain is a powerful organ just wish it would give me rest from this health anxiety .

This is an issue that is so incredibly important to me and I’m so sorry that you are dealing with this life-altering fear. I was just three when my Mom died of adrenal cancer. She was 29 and had battled it most of my life. I never thought of health as something we could depend on, and thought it could be taken away at a moments notice. I managed to make it through my teens (with a few hints of normalcy, but not many) and then my Dad was diagnosed with cancer when I was 23. When he died, I couldn’t hide from the facts that my parents were just two of five people in my family who I knew had experienced cancer. My risks were clear, so I subconsciously conceded and accepted the inevitable.

Until I was expecting my first child. That’s when I got ANGRY. I had lost so many people to cancer (and heart disease) in my young life - and many of them were young too. I wanted to take control and ensure I would be here with my child. That I could guide him or her through the journey of health and not let them accept the fate of disease and disruption.  

I’m so interested in what can help people overcome the anxiety and move into a productive, preventative position.  If anyone would be willing to comment I would love to get your opinion. Do you think learning about disease prevention, nutrition, your DNA or anxiety relieving techniques would be helpful? Are there any supportive steps you’ve found helpful that you recommend to others? 

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Hi

I understand how you feel. I'm suffering with anxiety it started with health anxiety. I am exactly the same any small thing I always think I have something that is going to kill me. I'm struggling with day to day life. I cry all the time with headaches and I feel it's more than a headache.. I have just joined this as I can't take feeling like this anymore.

Im not usually one for posting on forums. But this thread has made me feel better so I though I would contribute. It is good to know I am not the only one to feel like this. So far this week I have had skin cancer, stomach cancer and as of about an hour ago breast cancer (due to what is a tiny red spot on my breast). Logically I know that I lrobably don't have skin cancer because 3 Drs have checked the lump on my arm and confirmed dermatfibroma. The worrying and googling about this have caused my anxiety which seems to have set off tummy troubles including burping every minute. So now I am worried about stomach cancer and round it goes.

I am quite a strong minded person and will often be the one to help friends get through their down times. As such I have told no one about my fears.

Reading this post reassures me that these feeling are common and I think we should all take from it that the symptoms we are feeling are anxiety. They all fit with each other.

Another way I have found to cope is to research alternative cancer remedies so that if I am ever diagnosed I feel prepared. This also means reading success stories which help with feeling optimistic and that if I ever get cancer it is not the end of the world.

I am slowly coming out of this anxious stage but it is taking a little longer than I would like. I have a doctor's appointment next week to either discuss my anxiety, my constant burping, the spot on my breast or have my dermatfibroma looked at again!

My solution for now is to not Google symptoms!

Hi, I know this is so late on this forum but I need help, I’m 17 years old and I’ve always worried about my health but I lost my grandfather and my cousin who was only 24 in the space of 8 days a year ago today, I worry about walking and finding my mum or dad dead, I worry whenever I hear of a car crash incase it’s my brother. I’m checking my body constantly for lumps and bumps and convince myself I have cancer or a terminal illness as soon as I find anything such as a gland in my neck, I stand up to quick and get light headed I think I’m going to collapse, I get a pain in my chest I’m taking a heart attack, I have pain in my arm I’m taking a stroke. the thought of death crosses my mind at least 10 times a day and I can’t stop thinking about it when it does, it’s so much worse at night when I’m left alone, I’ve been to the doctors and they said ‘this is normal’ for someone who has went through what I have I’ve spoken with a councillor for a phone interview who said that they don’t think I need councilling and ‘if things don’t get better’ I’ve to call back, I just want to be clear headed and enjoy my life as I’m only young but cant for worrying about death and convincing myself I’m dying and the fear of illness.