Why are people so afraid of the word cancer????

Question

there ARE treatments out there and all is not lost if you are diagnosed with cancer. my dad has cancer and it now getting chemo, i have all faith in God that he will pull through.

but i think people worry when they hear the wold cancer because there isnt a cure.

id love to hear form anyone, or anyone who knows anyone that has pulled through? =)

and all the best, good luck and may god be with those who are battling with this terrible diesease.

Answer 1

I'm not afraid of the word cancer - I'm having to deal with the fact that my mum is going to die very soon from it. It has spread so far and so quickly that the doctors cannot treat it any more.

But not all cancer is the same... I've known people who have lived long lives after cancer (my grandmother survived at least 40 years after having cervical cancer, and my mum's friend is still going strong 38 years after the same diagnosis). I've had pre-cancerous cells treated myself. Hope is a good thing, and I wish your dad the very best in treatment and recovery.

The important thing is to get all the relevant check ups done regularly, and then you can catch anything nasty in the early stages.

Answer 2

It's not the word cancer,it's the cancer itself.When you first find out you have it, it's not knowing whats going to happen to you that makes you afraid,not the word.

Answer 3

people are afraid because there are different types of cancer that can result badly. I hope your father gets better! (=

♥mrs cullen

Answer 4

You know, even the spammers who show up here hawking their Laetrile aren't as clueless as someone who would post this question.

Answer 5

Afraid? People are afraid because cancer kills. Three years ago on one of the most horrific days of my entire life my youngest son was diagnosed with stage IV abdominal cancer. Sitting in his hospital room we listened as the doctor outlined five enormous tumors located in my sons abdominal cavity. Besides the large tumors he had others.  He was literally filled with cancer . . not one tumor but hundreds embedded into the peritoneal lining. .  his largest tumor was the size of a volley ball and had pushed his heart out of place. This was our child. The little boy we had so desperately wanted . . the child who brought us so much joy . . always fun, bright, . . if asked to do something he would do it . . never once did he give us any problems. We enjoyed his company, his sense of humor, his intellect . . his friends. And now it all came crashing down around us. He didn't just have any type of cancer . . he had an aggressive, high grade, rare, and fatal type of sarcoma. Afraid . . . we were terrified. But not our son. He made all of it easy for us. He was never afraid. He wanted to know if there was any treatment and basically volunteered for any experimental treatment available. He said it didn't matter if it worked or not because if it worked that would be great information to have for others with the disease . . but if it failed . . well, that was still great information to have.

Afraid? He wasn't. But we were . . we were terrified we were going to lose this precious kid. And, after three years of being afraid almost every single day, every single moment . .our worst fears were realized . .and they were every bit as horrific as you imagine. The cancer was unstoppable. Relentless. It took one month and than he died in my arms. My absolute worst nightmare, my worst fear come true.

Afraid? My child died. The fear is gone.  I am no longer afraid. I am not afraid of death. But I do hate cancer.

Answer 6

people are probably afraid because as you say 1 "cancer" for all types, there is no 1 cure that works surely for all.

also, everybody knows at least one people (close or only friend of a friend of a friend) that has died from cancer.

so even if there are better and better treatments each year, for each type of cancer, people still fear from the disease. it is logic, untreated it can certainly kill.

I think only when you or somebody close to you have the diagnosis, only than you will really learn about cancer. my husband has cancer, it is not one of  those types that have the worst prognosis, but still, when we heard the diagnosis it was horrible.

Answer 7

It is the cancer itself that is very worrying. Yes, science and medicine have made a lot of progress in the last century in regards to treatment and early detection. until a person themselves do not have it, you do not know what it is like. Cancer cells split and multiply so suddenly that it can spread and kill so quickly.  

Answer 8

I survived cancer (AML leukemia) twice at the age of 10 and then had a radiation treatment at the age of 12 and had a bone marrow transplant at the age of 13. The word cancer to me means alot of things. To me there is a deep fear in my heart that "What if it comes back or What if this or what if that?" When battling cancer you don't have the luxury of doubt or worry. You NEED to stay positive and you NEVER let the thought of dying even enter the same room. Your dad needs to keep telling himself that he will win and he will not give in. You can not give in. You got one shot and one shot only. Some tips on beating cancer.

1)saline flushes in your IV or central line taste REALLY bad. (it's salt water) It helps if you chew some Cinnamon gum when they flush his line.

2) take your pills with root beer. Sounds absolutely absurd but when the pills break apart in your mouth and dissolve your willing to try anything. Try it. It works.

3) If food makes him sick (because you'll notice that his scent become almost super human) tell them to leave it outside the door.

4) In his puke bucket (or whatever you call it) draw a face in it. Worked for me.

5) Get the anti nausea meds.I went my whole first round without them and it was miserable. Take it. Order it even if you have to.

6) Get up and walk around. Chemo makes you soo weak. He needs to walk a stretch daily otherwise he won't be able to.

7) Attitude is EVERYTHING. Ask the nurses what the record is on getting out of the hospital. Try beating it. (My record is 14 days after the chemo was done)

8) put your cards up on the wall. It helps you know that you are missed and makes you even more determined to beat cancer.

9) Have a little fun. It's a bleak situation but invite the nurses to come in and watch TV with you. One nurse of mine came in everyday and watched The Price Is Right with me. That really helped.

10) The most important piece of advice I can give you as a two time cancer survivor. STAY STRONG IN YOUR FAITH. God will deliver in his own time. This is all a test of faith. Cling to him and ask him for strength. He will take care of everything.

Answer 9

You'd be afraid too, if the Dr came in the room, and told you you had 2-3 months to live.

And BTW, there are NOT always treatments available.

I sincerely hope your dad does well with his treatment, but all the faith & praying in the world won't help anyone with terminal cancer.