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Approved by the Z Cancer Foundation Editorial Board, 02/2018
Hearing your doctor say the word “cancer” may be one of the biggest fears that most have when they go to see the doctor. The word cancer often evokes strong emotions and vivid imagery. To many, thinking of having cancer means losing your hair to chemotherapy or having terrible pain all over the body because of widespread cancer. To many people the word cancer is almost synonymous with knowing that you are about to die.
The fear of dying with pain is perhaps one of the greatest fears among those with cancer. Clearly, there is much emotional attachment to this word. The problem with this is that these emotions and reactions often interfere with communication with your doctor about a diagnosis of cancer or the possibility of cancer.