Carcinophobia: symptoms, causes and treatment

Despite the fact that, currently, the leading cause of death in adults are problems related to heart, the fear of developing any type of cancer is much more widespread throughout the entire population.

One of the main reasons can be found in cancerous diseases are inevitably associated with an image of extremely high suffering and anguish. This fact has led to the development of a variety of specific phobia known as: carcinophobia.

• Related article: "Types of Phobias: Exploring Fear Disorders"

What is carcinophobia?

As we have always specified in the articles that describe some type of specific phobia, a normative fear or does not have the same clinical significance as a phobic fear, existing between the two numerous and substantial differences.

In the specific case of carcinophobia, this is part of the anxiety disorders and it consists of experimenting an excessive, irrational and uncontrollable fear of suffering or developing some type of cancer.

This fear of developing a cancer-like disease

can be considered as a specific type of hypochondriasis, in which the only conditions that the person fears are those that are characterized by the appearance of tumors or carcinomas.

Comparison with other fears

It is necessary to specify that the experimentation of sensations of fear and fear at the possibility of developing are completely natural. As we mentioned, the fact that this is a disease with such a traumatic and painful development and course (both physical and psychological level), makes each and every one of the cases very striking, creating a feeling of omnipresence.

While it is true that cancer cases have increased drastically in recent years and that most of people have experienced a close case, carcinophobia is an exaggerated reaction to this fact, since that turns a normal fear into an excessive one, with the consequent effects on daily life that this causes.

The phobic fear that characterizes carcinophobia, and all specific anxiety disorders, is distinguished by being absolutely disproportionate and exaggerated, as well as irrational and permanent throughout the time.

In addition, in cases of carcinophobia, the person tends to associate any symptom or discomfort experienced with the appearance of some type of cancer, thus fostering a state of continuous anxiety and carrying out information-seeking behaviors to reinforce their suspicions.

Finally, compared to other types of phobia in which the anxiety reaction only appears in the presence of a feared stimulus or situation, in carcinophobia it is a fear constant since the fear arises simply from the expectations of the person, feeding a fear that intensifies even more in the presence of any stimulus related to the cancer.

What symptoms does it present?

The clinical picture of carcinophobia is similar to that of the other specific phobias and its symptoms are related to experiencing severe states of anxiety. This anxious symptomatology is classified into three groups of symptoms: physical, cognitive and behavioral.

1. physical symptomatology

Specific anxiety disorders are characterized by causing an increase in the activity of the central nervous system in the person who experiences it. This increase generates a large number of changes and alterations at the physiological and organic level. These symptoms include:

• Increased heart rate.
• Increased respiratory flow.
• palpitations.
• Feeling of lack of air or suffocation.
• Muscle tension.
• Increased sweating.
• headaches.
• Gastric alterations.
• Dizziness or feeling dizzy.
• Nausea and/or vomiting.
• Fainting.

2. cognitive symptomatology

Like the rest of phobias, within the symptoms of carcinophobia there are a series of beliefs or distorted thoughts about the chances of having or developing any type of cancer.

These irrational beliefs promote the development of this phobia and are distinguished because the person makes a series of illogical associations about the causes, risk factors, or symptoms of cancer.

3. behavioral symptoms

The third group of symptoms are behavioral symptoms, which refer to all the behaviors that the person carries out to avoid (avoidance behaviors) or flee (escape behaviors) from possible situations or agents that could potentially result carcinogens.

For example, people with carcinophobia tend to avoid smoking spaces or polluting places where there may be environmental toxic agents capable of causing cancer.

In the same way, these people carry out constant investigation behaviors with the objective of determining which foods or products can be carcinogenic, as well as continually go to the doctor or request medical reviews and check-ups continuous.

Is there a treatment?

In those cases in which the concern or fear of developing cancer causes great anguish in the person or interfere in the progress of your day to day, it is highly recommended to seek help psychological.

Once the diagnosis is made, psychological intervention can be given. In the case of phobias, Cognitive-behavioral treatment has turned out to be the most effective system when it comes to reducing and remitting the symptoms of the phobia.

Because the central symptomatology of carcinophobia is related to cognitive aspects. It is advisable to start treatment with a cognitive restructuring, thanks to which to banish irrational beliefs and ideas and relativize the fear of cancer.

In addition, this intervention can be accompanied by systematic desensitization techniques. This technique, accompanied by training in relaxation techniques, enables the person to mentally deal with those situations that generate fear and anxiety.

These are just some of the treatments or interventions that a person with carcinophobia can undergo. Besides, It is also advisable to obtain information from a professional in oncology in order to avoid myths and false beliefs about cancer.