Once you have cancer and survive, can you ever feel safe again ?

Question

I am going on 7 years of being cancer free and I am still fearful of a return. I had cervical cancer that went undetected though I sought medical help aggresively. My treatment involved rads, internal rads, a radical hysterectomy & chemo. It's like a sheet I can't get the wrinkle out of it's just always there somewhere... I want my peice of mind back.

Answer 1

I was diagnosed severe breastcancer in Nov. 2003. I did all there was to do. Surgery, chemo's (3 years) radiation, etc. Because of the regular check ups and the weird way the human brain works, yes you can feel safe again. Don't let fear rule your day. You cannot choose what happens to you, but you can choose how to deal with it. Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm sorry to say depends on the cancer.
Most cancers however do not mean you will get a different cancer in the body.
However diferent cancers act different and some never reoccur if u are sympto frre eg. for 5 years, whereas some can occur many many years later.
However, look on the positives. Though this is easier said than done.
But once you have been given the all clear forget about it and get on with your life.
Studies in USA have actually shown that positive people survive cancer better than negative ones.
Well don for doing so well......
GOODLUCK

Answer 3

I agree with the person that said to stay positive.Your mind is a very powerful organ! Try to keep a healthy diet and lifestyle. You CAN go on and live a very productive life.
the way I deal with everyday and serious problems is by doing all that God has given me the ability do and then take the rest to God in prayer. I don't know your regelious perference,but I hope that this verse from the Bible might comfort you as it does me..."Ask, and God wii give it to you. Search, and you will find. Knock and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who ask will receive. Everyone who knocks will have the door opened." MATTHEW 7:7-8 May God give you all the Hope and Comfort you deserve. also,read PSALM 34:17-18.... "The Lord hears good people when they cry out to him, and he saves them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those whose spirits have been crushed." Follow your DR.s advice and stay prayerful. YOU CAN BEAT IT!!!

Answer 4

Cancer is a destructive desease and very frightening ,
To survive it is a blessing!
As to feeling safe,'this can be a state of mind',
Try not to concentrate on the desease
Concentrate on every precious moment you have with your family and friends and enjoy life while you are here.
We all will pass one day,and we dont know when our time is up,
Dont feed a thought that makes you unsafe.
it will only fester.
If you have been given a clean bill of health ,you have been given a second chance.

My Mother recently passed, her first diagnoses with breast cancer was 30 years ago, she then had a masectomy, and refused kemo and radio therapy, after the opp,
She lived a healthy life for another 30 years.

She was then diagnosed with lung cancer 30 years later.
in that time she could very well have died from, a different cause.

What i am saying here is Dont waiste your precious time thinking that your disease may return.
There is a big beautiful world out there enjoy it while your here!
You are very lucky!.......sending loving thoughts.

Answer 5

I know what you are going through. I had cancer a couple years back, and I'm worry that if I ever get it again, I won't make it that time, or have the strength to fight it again. But, I don't think of it much anymore, so I'm ok. I take all the strengths I gained from the experience, and move away from everything else.

Answer 6

Even in my case as a cancer surviver who was told my risks were no greater than anyone else, I still don't feel completely safe. The cancer was removed, however there is always this gnawing in the back of your mind that perhaps a single cell got away to spread somewhere else. The important part is that even if you don't feel safe, don't let it impact your lifestyle.

Answer 7

You might find some reinforcement for your comfort zone in the books Beating Cancer With Nutrition by Patrick Quillen, and How to Prevent and Treat Cancer with Natural Medicine by Mike Murray. They are a goldmine of advice on how to eat and what to take to keep your immune system in high gear.

Answer 8

It depends on the kind of cancer you had, how advanced it was, what kind of treatment was required. It is best to come to peaceful terms with the prospect of death since we all will get there sooner or later, one way or another. You ask a very difficult question - very legit. I've been there, but I finally had to realize that my life belongs to God and He can do what He wants with it. That was quite a few years ago and I'm still here.

Answer 9

No, I survived cancer 2 yrs. ago and its always on my mind, every cough, ache or pain I think its another cancer. My MD claims you can't take chances because once you've had one cancer your likely to have another. Live each day to its fullest and leave the rest in Gods hands. It will always be in the back of my mind, I can't help it I have young children and I want to see them grow up, get married and give me grandchildren. So we just have to deal with the unknown?

Answer 10

I am SO with you. I had Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I still have my chemo port in. [it's been almost 2 years] One doctor slipped and said "WHEN it comes back...". WHEN?? So, yes, although I try to just live and enjoy life, I do worry about "IT" coming back. Best wishes to you. 7 years is awesome!!!