My anxiety is getting worse

[Joao]

Hi.
My grandfather died when I was 12,by cancer. It was extremilly painful at the time. Since the im always afraid of getting sick.
My mom had breast cancer, but she is fine now. And my father had hepatitis c, that later transformed into cancer.
Now I'm 25, and I'm very scared of getting sick.
I've been balding since forever. And lately I've been reading about the subject and it says that balding is related to aggressive prostate cancer. So, of course, I'm in a extreme anxiety trip because of it. It's almost 4 a.m and I'm writing in this forum. I need help, and some reassurance.
Best regards

 

[Joewolf25]

I feel you! I’m terrified of getting cancer. I’ve been feeling nauseous lately and they took my blood 3 times and said my wbc count is very high..they are sending me to a hematologist oncologist soon and I’m very scared.

 

[Joao]

I hope you get well!

 

[Siphonophorae]

As soon as possible, get yourself checked. Wherever you live, look for a dip in the new cases and go get checked then. It is still dangerous but if you think you’re sick, like REALLY think you are SERIOUSLY sick, go check it out if you can.


And what exactly is “aggressive prostrate cancer”?

 

[Joao]

As soon as possible, get yourself checked. Wherever you live, look for a dip in the new cases and go get checked then. It is still dangerous but if you think you’re sick, like REALLY think you are SERIOUSLY sick, go check it out if you can.


And what exactly is “aggressive prostrate cancer”?

I have no ideia. I just read it online. I don't have any symptoms, I'm just very scared of getting it.

 

[Bobnnat]

Joao,

While I'm not medically trained, I feel I'm pretty knowledgeable about PC as I have feared it (along with dozens of other diseases!). First, you are just 25. PC affects older men, typically over 60. It can affect those in their 30s or 40s but it is very rare. 15% of cases are "aggressive" meaning they need to be acted upon rather than wait and see. Men who get aggressive PC are typically obese and/or otherwise unhealthy.

While there is a blood test you could take (PSA) it is highly controversial. A high reading can mean so many things and can easily lead to treatment for a non-existent cancer or one that will never grow nor harm you. My GP for example is against the test and is not happy that I try to get the test every few years even though I have never had a reading that concerned my urologist. In fact, the Canadian medical association (not sure what they are actually named) recommend against testing due to false positives and the high anxiety it can cause. To the contrary, some American authorities do recommend it. Others say a man should talk with his doctor and then the man can decide whether to test.

Trust me, it's a royal mess.

As far as balding and aggressive cancer, I've never heard that.. If you were over 50 you might want to see your doc to discuss but at age 25 its 1 in a million you have PC. You are worrying about absolutely nothing. When you reach say 40 you might want to have an initial talk with your doc. Hopefully in those 15 years, the testing protocol will have greatly improved.

 

[Joao]

Joao,

While I'm not medically trained, I feel I'm pretty knowledgeable about PC as I have feared it (along with dozens of other diseases!). First, you are just 25. PC affects older men, typically over 60. It can affect those in their 30s or 40s but it is very rare. 15% of cases are "aggressive" meaning they need to be acted upon rather than wait and see. Men who get aggressive PC are typically obese and/or otherwise unhealthy.

While there is a blood test you could take (PSA) it is highly controversial. A high reading can mean so many things and can easily lead to treatment for a non-existent cancer or one that will never grow nor harm you. My GP for example is against the test and is not happy that I try to get the test every few years even though I have never had a reading that concerned my urologist. In fact, the Canadian medical association (not sure what they are actually named) recommend against testing due to false positives and the high anxiety it can cause. To the contrary, some American authorities do recommend it. Others say a man should talk with his doctor and then the man can decide whether to test.

Trust me, it's a royal mess.

As far as balding and aggressive cancer, I've never heard that.. If you were over 50 you might want to see your doc to discuss but at age 25 its 1 in a million you have PC. You are worrying about absolutely nothing. When you reach say 40 you might want to have an initial talk with your doc. Hopefully in those 15 years, the testing protocol will have greatly improved.

Thank you very much for this.

 

[Siphonophorae]

Joao,

While I'm not medically trained, I feel I'm pretty knowledgeable about PC as I have feared it (along with dozens of other diseases!). First, you are just 25. PC affects older men, typically over 60. It can affect those in their 30s or 40s but it is very rare. 15% of cases are "aggressive" meaning they need to be acted upon rather than wait and see. Men who get aggressive PC are typically obese and/or otherwise unhealthy.

While there is a blood test you could take (PSA) it is highly controversial. A high reading can mean so many things and can easily lead to treatment for a non-existent cancer or one that will never grow nor harm you. My GP for example is against the test and is not happy that I try to get the test every few years even though I have never had a reading that concerned my urologist. In fact, the Canadian medical association (not sure what they are actually named) recommend against testing due to false positives and the high anxiety it can cause. To the contrary, some American authorities do recommend it. Others say a man should talk with his doctor and then the man can decide whether to test.

Trust me, it's a royal mess.

As far as balding and aggressive cancer, I've never heard that.. If you were over 50 you might want to see your doc to discuss but at age 25 its 1 in a million you have PC. You are worrying about absolutely nothing. When you reach say 40 you might want to have an initial talk with your doc. Hopefully in those 15 years, the testing protocol will have greatly improved.

Wow! Looks like I need to do some research before I start advising and stuff! Thanks Bobnnat