Cancerophobia or Carcinophobia Fear of cancer
The mere sound or sight of the word cancer can cause profound fear, stress and anxiety as well as profound sadness. The proper name for this fear is Carcinophobia and it is one of the prevalent fears in the western world. A lack of familiarity about the different types of cancer can cause sufferers to be anxious when talking or thinking about it. The knowledge of advanced medical treatments and technology that we have, cancer still has a high mortality rate may contribute to this fear. Hence the term “the big casino” this refers to the fact that in gambling the house always wins and that analogy is made that with people who contract cancer, even if they go into remission, the cancer (house) will get the sufferer in the end.
The most common cause for this fear is having had the experience of a relative or close friend had struggled and died from the disease. Whether the person died quickly from the cancer or struggling for a long time can make the fear even more profound.
An obvious sign of Carcinophobia is that sufferers are reluctant to talk about cancer even if it doesnât concern them. Additionally, sufferers are unwilling to visit a family member or close friend suffering from cancer in the hospital or hospice. Some may experience hyperventilation, increased cardiac rate, panic attacks, and a sense of losing control and may pass out in the presence of someone with cancer.
Facing this is highly encouraged. Gaining an understanding that cancers are treatable may tend to shift their attention away from what causes cancer and how to live with the disease.
