I find cancer screening really frightening

[whitewinefriday]

Does anyone else find cancer screening really stressful? I know it’s wonderful we have an NHS who carries out these things, particularly under the current circumstances and I know screening saves lives but I spend too much time worrying about it?

Last year I got called for my first mammogram, and then my usual smear, and our surgery has just written to DH saying they’re now extending bowel cancer screening to the over 55s in our area, so he’ll be getting a home test kit soon, and this will be repeated every two years. And of course in a few years’ time I will be in the over 55 category, so I’ll be doing bowel testing soon. So each of us doing this every two years plus all the other tests. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, but I just find it terrifying.

Mum died of cancer. Her cancer was not hereditary but ever since this happened I’ve been unable to deal with cancer rationally and any screening/testing for me and DH really scares me. Not the procedure, just the fear that they may find something in either one of us. Which I know is exactly the point of screening, because early detection saves lives, but I every time we’re tested for something you then have to wait for the results and that causes me a lot of anxiety. I think I need to find some coping strategies.

Yes. I recently had my second ever smear and I'm in my early 30s so had been putting it off. I was nervous at the appointment but even more nervous when my letter came yesterday, to the point I was shaking a bit. My DM also has a diagnosis of cancer, also not hereditary but cancer is no longer 'something that happens to other people' to me. It's real and scary now.

Obviously, as frightening as it is, I'm glad cancer screening exists of course.

I think it's entirely understandable you feel as you do given your family history. I'm sorry about your Mum. It might be worth discussing this with your GP. A short course of CBT may help you.

I'm so glad its not just me. And yes I'm very grateful screening exists. I just wish I coped with it better.

I totally understand. As pp said when my smear results come through I shake opening the letter and almost cry with relief. Even if I have anything routine at GP I am terrified in case I have to have X-ray or test and it picked something up.

When I realised that DH now has 2 yearly bowel cancer screening, and shortly I'll be doing same, it bothered me more than ever, its important we do these tests but the surrounding anxiety is hard to control.

I work in a field that does cancer screening. I do get why it’s scary...but because of my work I actually see it quite differently. Many of the patients we have only have minimal issues (some possible symptoms of cancer such a bleeding but turn out not to be cancer but piles for example! So actually the patient has been worried and can be reassured). But what we also do is find polyps that could turn into cancer if left..so it’s preventing it before it happens. Then we monitor these patients, bringing them back to ensure they don’t develop more. Also even when we do find cancer, a lot of the time it’s in time to do something about it (whereas without the screening it would have been found in an emergency situation). So yes, it’s designed to find some cancers, but also to stop things from progressing which I view as really positive. Hope that gives a bit of reassurance.

Thanks Bandit. DH did have some bleeding a few years ago, his GP sent him for a colonoscopy and it turned out to the piles, not cancer, thank heavens. But as the piles still bleed occasionally, I'm fearful that this may lead to false positive when he does his home bowel testing, which would then lead to another colonoscpy (when he only had one approx 3 years ago)! However thank you for giving me another way to think about it, I think the work you do is amazing.

After having Bowel cancer, which WASNT picked up at my aged 55 bowel check, I’m more than grateful for any screening.
Mine was found via a blood test when I registered for a new doctor.
I also have Lynch Syndrome which means I am more likely to get other cancers.
Although in remission, I have checked every 6 months and the ‘s anxiety’ I suffer is horrendous.
Every phone call, or letter that drops through the door heightens it.
Maybe I’ll get used to it, but knowing I’m at a higher risk for cancer isn’t easy to live with.

I think it is so incredibly valuable, but yes I agree, absolutely terrifying! You are definitely not alone. I am only 39, but read any kind of breast test, I have Lumpy bumpy fibrocystic breast, and they are a nightmare!