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== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
[[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT) is used for a wide variety of fears and phobias, including carcinophobia. It helps patients to increase awareness of their disorder, and provides ways for patients to cope with their emotions. <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://centerforanxietydisorders.com/treatment-programs/phobias/carcinophobia/|title=Carcinophobia - Fear of Getting Cancer - Carcinophobia Treatment|work=The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref> Research has shown that cancer patients experiencing fear of recurrence may benefit from mindfulness-based interventions <ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ledesma|first=Dianne|last2=Kumano|first2=Hiroaki|date=2009-06|title=Mindfulness-based stress reduction and cancer: a meta-analysis|url=http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/pon.1400|journal=Psycho-Oncology|language=en|volume=18|issue=6|pages=571–579|doi=10.1002/pon.1400}}</ref> and more scalable methods for delivering this treatment are being investigated. <ref>{{Cite journal|date=2019-04-09|title=Mind and Body:A Clinical Trial Evaluation of a Smartphone App-based Mindfulness Intervention|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.31525/ct1-nct03908918|journal=Case Medical Research|doi=10.31525/ct1-nct03908918|issn=2643-4652}}</ref>
[[Cognitive behavioral therapy]] (CBT) is used for a wide variety of fears and phobias, including carcinophobia. It helps patients to increase awareness of their disorder, and provides ways for patients to cope with their emotions. <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://centerforanxietydisorders.com/treatment-programs/phobias/carcinophobia/|title=Carcinophobia - Fear of Getting Cancer - Carcinophobia Treatment|work=The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 17:54, 27 May 2020

Cancer phobia
SpecialtyPsychology

Cancer phobia, also known as carcinophobia, is a Common Phobia and an anxiety disorder characterized by the chronic fear of developing cancer. It can manifest in tremendous feelings of sadness, fear, panic, and distress. In some cases, the phobia can be so extreme that it prevents the individual from living a normal life.

Signs and symptoms

People living with carcinophobia frequently suffer from depression. Sufferers may become reclusive and obsessive over their health. They may feel overwhelmed and fail to carry out their usual functions. The fear is associated with lack of future planning, and an overall poor quality of life.[1]

Causes

Cancer survivors are also susceptible to developing a debilitating fear of recurrence due to their previous experience with the disease. Half of all cancer survivors report a moderate to high fear of recurrence. [2]

Treatment

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is used for a wide variety of fears and phobias, including carcinophobia. It helps patients to increase awareness of their disorder, and provides ways for patients to cope with their emotions. [3]

References

  1. ^ "Psychological Intervention Reduced Fear of Cancer Recurrence | Cancer Network | The Oncology Journal". www.cancernetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  2. ^ "Psychological Intervention Reduced Fear of Cancer Recurrence | Cancer Network | The Oncology Journal". www.cancernetwork.com. Retrieved 2017-12-18.
  3. ^ "Carcinophobia - Fear of Getting Cancer - Carcinophobia Treatment". The Center for Treatment of Anxiety and Mood Disorders. Retrieved 2017-12-18.