Scared of dying from deadly cancer

[apa37us]

Thoughts of dying from cancer is on my mind most days. Throughout the years I've seen specialist and had test to check for all sorts of diseases and cancers, all negative. All that was ever found is that I have a rare benign condition, however recently it was linked to pancreatic cancer. After reading the article I have become obsessed with dying of pancreatic cancer. My doctors and gastro doctor all tell me that pancrease is fine, CT 2.5 year ago and MRI confirmed it recently.

I spent countless hours reading these medical reports and I feel I know way too much. It's my fault and too late to erase all the facts.

Any advice on how to get through this? My psychiatrist has me on Avitan & Zoloft, which I don't take. Also I plan to quit smoking marijuana daily, it's starting to increase my anxiety. Higher THC strains always give me panic attacks but I found a lower indica strain that is more of a body high.

Here is sample of study:

www[dot]omicsgroup[dot]org/journals/2165-7092/2165-7092-S1-e001.pdf
Familial pancreatic hyperenzymemia is a benign condition and its pathophysiological mechanism is still unknown. An appropriate clinical and imaging follow-up should be carried out in those patients having this condition associated with familial pancreatic cancer.

Another Study
An elevation in serum pancreatic enzymes in the absence of pancreatic disease is reported in the literature and defined as “benign pancreatic hyperenzymemia” or “Gullo’s syndrome” [7]. This condition can occur sporadically or in a familiar form, it is asymptomatic, and it is generally discovered incidentally. Nobody of the subjects included in this definition had been treated in the past with pancreatotoxic drugs. These authors sustain that at least one year must pass after the initial finding of pancreatic hyperenzymemia before it can be considered benign. Furthermore, they emphasize that a proper diagnosis of this condition is important because it allows the clinician to reassure the subject that this alteration is benign and does not require any kind of therapy. Nevertheless the possibility that these individuals could have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer cannot be excluded.

[nomorepanic]

You are always going to find stuff on the internet like this though so you MUST stop the googling and looking for things.

Why don't you take the medication?

Smoking marijuana will definitely make the anxiety worse.

[apa37us]

I ran into more studies today and I just pray what I have is benign and I do not have a really high increase change of getting pancreatic cancer later in life around 35-50 years of age

www[dot]ncbi.nlm.nih[dot]gov/pubmed/19296399
Chronic asymptomatic pancreatic hyperenzymemia is a benign condition in only half of the cases: a prospective study.

www[dot]ncbi.nlm.nih[dot]gov/pubmed/23042375
it's characterized by serum elevation of all pancreatic enzymes in the absence of underlying diseases; it occurs in either sporadic or familial form and it persists over time with considerable fluctuation in serum enzyme concentrations, including frequent normalizations. Proper diagnosis of this form of hyperenzymemia is important because it reassures the subjects having this anomaly that the syndrome is benign, and because it can prevent multiple and expensive diagnostic tests or useless hospitalizations or therapies.


Chronic asymptomatic hyperamylasemia unrelated to pancreatic diseases.

Summary of "Chronic asymptomatic hyperamylasemia unrelated to pancreatic diseases."

Purpose: This study was addressed to assess the clinical characteristics of patients presenting with chronic hyperamylasemia unrelated to pancreatic diseases (CHUPD). Almost all patients presenting with chronic hyperamylasemia undergo expensive, long, difficult, and often unnecessarily repeated diagnostic procedures. This is in conjunction with the poor knowledge of the fact that besides hyperenzymemia secondary to pancreatic diseases and systemic illnesses, various non-pathological forms of chronic hyperamylasemia without relevant pathologic consequence can occur in clinical practice.Material and Methods: Data of all patients with CHUPD were retrospectively reviewed (June 1997-December 2009). Fifty one patients were included in the study; median follow up was 48 months (range 8-112 months). Their pre-enrolment diagnoses were: chronic pancreatitis in 31 cases (60.7%) and recurrent pancreatitis in 13 cases (25.4%); the remaining 7 patients (13.7%) were without a specific diagnosis.Results: Our observations, supported by diagnostic procedures (Ca19-9 serum levels, abdominal ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic ultrasonography) revealed that CHUPD was secondary to: a) benign pancreatic hyperamylasemia, 20 patients (39.2%); b) macroamylasemia, 18 patients (35.2 %) and c) salivary hyperamylasemia, 13 patients (25.4%).Conclusions: Due to the poor familiarity with CHUPD, the occurrence of this condition quite frequently leads to unnecessarily repeated diagnostic procedures.

[Annie0904]

Like Nicola said, you must stop googling. Google always comes up with worst case scenarios. Trust your doctors who have all said you are fine and this has been further confirmed by the MRI scan. You need to stop smoking marijuana as it will increase your worries and anxieties.

[nomorepanic]

I am not even going to read that as like I said you need to stop looking things up on the internet.

[Sparkle1984]

You are very lucky to have access to a psychiatrist, many people here in the UK would love to have your level of coverage but because the MH services here are underfunded it's very difficult. So if you really want to get better, I suggest you follow his advice. If you're not happy with the medication, you need to discuss it with him.

[apa37us]

Thanks I got reassurance from my doc and gastro yesterday. They said if it makes me feel any better than I can get an annual ultrasound (but no ct scan or mri) unless I have symptoms.

However ultrasounds do not catch pancreatic cancer as well as EUS or MRI.

Anyways I will put this behind me and start taking me meds.

[Stormsky]

Stop worrying and start living.
Life's too short for worrying all the time about what might happen.

[leahnc]

Google-itis! You are researching & ruminating to ease the anxiety! I used to do this all the time. Also until you stop seeking reassurance you cannot fully live and take control of your life. I only say this because Ive been there for many many many years.

My father just died from Esophageal cancer in April. He was/is the bravest, strongest most wonderful man I know & he handled his diagnosis, chemo, treatments so bravely & he never complained. I tell you after going through that with him my hypochondria stopped. I respected his courage so much I refuse to live in bondage to my thoughts.

I understand your fear, but the fear in your mind is rumination! The story you are creating in your mind is just a story. Hang in there!