Feel sick with health anxiety

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I'm in my late 20s. My mum was diagnosed with exon 19 deletion lung cancer last year in her early 50s and I'm told it's not hereditary. But several of my other family members have been diagnosed with cancer young, all different types (before aged 60). I found a breast lump a couple years ago and never got it examined as they told me to call if it got bigger which it didn't. Now I've had a cough for 6 weeks and am catastrophising thinking I have breast cancer and it's progressed to lung cancer or something.

I called my dr and he's requested a family tree to forward to genetic testing drs who will decide if I should get genetic testing. I'm also getting the breast lump examined.

Because of my family history of cancer, I always think I've got cancer (I've been for a check-up for 2 things before), and when my mum got it so young and for such a rare type (literally 0.003% chance!?), I have just spiralled, yet it didn't kick me into action to get the lump checked and I feel like an idiot.

I have a young child and I'm a total mess panicking that I've messed up. Deep down I don't think it is anything (I had an 8 week cough last year that went after antibiotics). I think I need to get a therapist. Has anyone been in any sort of similar situation before and got any advice please?

  • Hello  

    A warm welcome to the Community, although I am so sorry to find you here. Anxiety and Cancer are two words that are linked together and affect us all to some extent. Support for your anxiety can be found here:

    * At Maggie's - do you have a local "Maggie's" near you - these are cancer support centres for all the family, here's the link:- https://www.maggies.org/

    * There's Anxiety UK - They can offer you help and advice on 0333 344 5774: e-mail support@anxiety.org.uk or their web page: www.anxiety.uk.org.uk.

    * You can always telephone our support line on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week)  - they are a great set of folk and are happy to help.

    I hope the above suggestions help, if I can do anything else for you please let me know. You haven't "messed up" we are all human and have lots going on in our lives.

    Best wishes - Brian.

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