how can I conquer my fear of cancer returning?

Question

Last April I was diagnosed with stage 1b invasive cervical cancer. I underwent a radical hysterectomy with an aortic and pelvic lymph node disection. Great news...All lymph nodes and surrounding tissue were clear of cancer. No radiation or chemotherapy was needed according to my oncologist. My problem now is the paranoia. Last week I felt something in my breast, had a mammogram the next day followed by an ultrasound 2 days ago...once again...all clear...I know that cervical cancer doesn't normally go to the breast.....but it is constantly on my mind...what if it comes back? What if I get Breast cancer? The least little tingle or "feeling" that I have sends me into a panic...well..it's not that bad..but I do have an increased heart rate for a while. Any cervical cancer survivors willing to share the experience would be welcome.

hot coco puffs ...I did not have HPV....HPV does account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases...Just thought I'd add that to the question.

Answer 1

Sister, I had the same operation three years ago, I was frightened to death and alone. Cervical cancer is a result of having HPV, which I am sure you have seen commercials about the vaccine they have to guard against some versions of the virus, too late for us, right? HPV may go away, or it may not, there is no cure for it, and as my doctors have told me "it's just something you're going to have to live with." Not what you WANT to hear, but it's the truth. HPV does not cause cancer anywhere else in your body, it would not cause breast cancer. Radical hysterectomy is called just that because it's not just a removal of the uterus. The lymphnodes help carry "waste" from our blood out of our bodies, that's a breeding ground for bad bacteria. Having those removed minimizes the chances of the cancer returning. I wish I could tell you absolutely that nothing will ever happen again, all you can do is be sure to keep the follow up visits with your oncologist. Having HPV sucks, and I feel like I have the plague the way I get treated by some health prefessionals. I mean, it so common, but I feel like I did something bad that this would happen to me. I know it's not true, but cancer sucks. I have just recently been to my oncologist, and I was having panic attack symptoms for many weeks, and even "tingly" feelings. I thought I had a yeast infection, my docotor didn't see yeast, but suggested I use a yeast cure kit, it wouldn't hurt. Well, it didn't help either. I kept feeling that damn tingle, and I thought it was just my being upset bringing on a yeast infection, or maybe my clothes were too tight. Well, I took the initiative and went and got an AZO UTI test kit, and I had a urinary tract infection. The tingle is the bad bacteria, and it's letting you know that something is wrong. You won't feel cancer, so feeling soemthing is acutally beneficial, because that's how you know that something is wrong. A proper exam by a gynecologist would be able to find a cause for the tingle. Write down all the physical symptoms and anything you want to let the doctor know, that will give them a better idea of what to check for and where.
Lumps in the breast can be fibers of muscle in a "knot" or a build-up of calcium, or any other substance that we put in our bodies. I had them several years ago, my doctor told me to stop drinking Diet Coke, and sure enough, the lumps went away. We weren't meant to be consuming so many processed items for food and drink, but I am not eating grass and drinking from a stream either.
I would suggest a Milk Thistle supplement, that is a good detox for the liver, and it is not harsh. That will help rid your body of the garbage it's trying to dispose of. Other supplements I suggest are cranberry and acidophilus, they cleanse and protect your immune system.
For mood and worries I suggest "Mood Plus SAM-e pharmaceutical grade" supplement. It's not cheap, but it's natural, available in many drug stores and health food places, and it is a natural substance we already have in our bodies. I take about four servings a day, one every few hours, and it really helps keep you relaxed. I hope this helps you.

Answer 2

Here's what you need to do: Stop worrying.

You have been given a second shot at life and you should take it. Live your life as you are meant to and leave what happened behind you.

Schedule regular checkups yearly or every 6 months so you'll always be sure you're ok and calm your nerves. Once you get on a schedule and the further the experience of cancer is behind you, the better you'll feel.

Answer 3

You create in your life what you think about most in your mind. If you think about health and do fun and healthy things you will have health, if you think/worry about disease/cancer you will create cancer.
Pay attention to the answers from people who have not had cancer. By looking for the survivors of cancer you are focusing your attention on people who have created cancer in their lives also. Beware of that.
The opposite of fear is faith. Find something you can believe in thats positive and constructive. You cannot experience faith and fear at the same time. I'm not necessarily talking about religious faith but if that works do that. The body is an exact manifestation of the subconscious mind. Its never too late to learn how life "really" works.
My best to you!

Answer 4

You don't want cancer?!

Eat very healthy and when I mean healthy i mean like, fruits vegetables.

Maybe some super foods, look on google about super foods, most of them are for preventing cancer.

Maybe flax too, seafood is always good.

But yeah if you're really concern start doing what my mom does (she never got cancer, but is scared to get it) buy some health books my mom is currently into "The Eat-Clean Diet"

Anyways yeah, you're most likely imagining it with the bumps or anything you feel.

Just calm down and let it flow.

Answer 5

I'm so sorry for all you've been through, and I admire you for your strength. Your "what if" thinking is not going to change whether or not your cancer will come back. It's unecessary negative energy that could be spent on something else that's positive. I wish you good health and good positive thoughts!!!

Answer 6

I've never had it, but think of it this way, it could return, but the chances are "very" slim. + now adays, there are hardly any people that die of cancer. (~_*)

Answer 7

just try to do things that you did when you had cancer!!!i hope it dont come back

Answer 8

Do everything the doctor tells you to

Answer 9

you have to think possitive becuz if you think it'z gonna come back then it might. If you are confedint and think possitivly then it wont come back, trust me.

Answer 10

well i wouldn't worry because i have a grndma that died of cancer a cancer that only girls can get