Hello,

I am feeling very down because I fear I have cancer. I am 41, happily married with 2 teenage kids. I have always worked hard, never asked a think from no-one, never been out of work……………..

I have suffered a heartburn condition for a few years or so. I saw my Doctor approx in the Spring of 2007. He prescribed a medication lasting 8 weeks that worked great. After approx 2 weeks of finishing my medication I visited him again because the symptoms returned. He suggested an endoscopy just to be on the safe side. He repeated the medication I had been on and all returned well except I felt so well again that I ignored the endoscopy and my Doctor seemed cool to allow me to continue to take the medication as and when I needed it. Every time I needed a repeat prescription he was cool to continue it. He agreed that I probably had an acid issue that needed controlling. He allowed me to self control the medication i.e. taking it when I felt I needed it.

In July of this year I felt a lump like sensation in my chest. I visited my Doctor and asked for an endoscopy because I was worried. He tried to reassure me that there was a 1/1000 chance of it being cancer but the endoscopy would offer an absolute answer. This is booked for 29th August. Despite the lump-like feeling going after a week or so it returned again on 5th August just as I’d started my holiday with my family and I have had it ever since. Because I am scared and stressed out so much I cannot help wondering if I have brought on the symptoms myself which I know stress can do. I have had to deal with anxiety all my life and it runds in the family.

Only this time I am fearing the worst. I just don’t know how I’d cope if they told me I had cancer. I have a loving and supportive wife but it feels no-one can help me with my fears. I just don’t know what I’d do if it was the worst news. I have read the cancer website which has made things worse as the symptoms for oesophagus cancer is what I have or think I have and it is driving me mad an ruining my holiday. My wife can see how detached I am because my thoughts are constantly worrying about the worst.

I am only 41 and can’t stand the thought of dying yet with my kids needing a father, my wife needing a husband. Maybe worse I cannot stand it to have to have to go through cancer treatment at my age. I feel I have so much more to achieve in life and be there for my wife & kids. I have never smoked and only drink in moderation having the odd blast; who doesn’t? But I feel very guilty for not having taking the endoscopy sooner and I should have never drunk alcohol because according to the website alcohol increases the risk of cancer.

I am in turmoil, can you offer any words of support? Other than my Doctor and the inevitable process of the news the endoscopy brings is there anyone else I can talk to about my despair?

Your kind reply would be appreciated

Regards

John

Hi John,

It sounds like you've really worked yourself into a frenzy worrying about this. I believe you have reason to be concerned considering your symptoms, but there are other things that could cause the symptoms you have. Don't just automatically assume you have cancer. I think the only thing you can do is just wait and see what the endoscopy shows. You can't change the past and go back in time and do the endoscopy sooner. All you can do now is wait and see. And believe me, I know how awful waiting can be. We are waiting for CT scan results in a week to find out about my husband's cancer progression. Like the Tom Petty song, "The Waiting is the Hardest Part." It's so easy to work yourself into a state of utter devastation while waiting for something to happen. And in the meantime, you are not enjoying life and it sounds like your family is also having to cope with your worrying.

Worrying can't change anything. I suggest you just get through one day at a time and try not to assume the worst. Just try to relax as much as possible. It could be that you're so stressed out you are causing some of these symptoms just with your anxiety.

If worst comes to worst and you find out you do have cancer, then you are not alone. Just because you find out you have cancer doesn't mean you have to stop living. Many people are able to beat cancer or live long lives even after a diagnosis of cancer. You are worrying about things that haven't happened yet, that may not ever happen. I think you should do your best to think positive and assume you do NOT have cancer. Won't you be relieved to find out all this worrying was for nothing? And like I said, even if it is cancer, that is not necessarily a death sentence. A lot of it has to do with your attitude. You have to be positive, think positive, and enjoy life as much as possible. Stress is not good for anyone.

I hope that helped you a little bit. Hang in there, and please let us know how things turn out for you. God Bless,

Nancy

Hello John,

I am so sorry you are dealing with this horrible illness. I know how awful this is because I have had it for over 2 years now, I am in agony everyday, and for months I feared I was getting cancer in my esophagus because the pain was just unrelenting. I'm telling you, I have bile and acid coming up 24/7, regaurdless of what I eat, when I eat, or if I dont eat. Medication offers little relief. I am on a liquid diet of bananas and soymilk now because I cannot physically swallow anything, the pain is so horrendous. They did an edoscopy on me and I had barrets esophagus, which is precancerous. It scared me, but I don;t have cancer. Please, dont let the fear of cancer ruin your life. The odds of someone actually getting esophageal cancer are very small. I've found that if you fear something, it can actually come upon you. Don't worry about it and try your best to get the acid under control. For me, I am having the nissen fundoplication done this wednesday because I am honestly out of options. I feel for you and know how frustrating and devastating this illness can be, but you must be strong and know that your odds of having cancer are very slim, if any. I hope this helps, God bless you

-Lisa

It sounds as if you have chronic acid reflux (also known as GERD). If so, there are a couple of things you can do. First is to stay on medication permanently. Proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec, Protonix, etc.) work great to reduce the acid. Second, make sure you never, ever lie down within 2-3 hours after eating. Third, elevate the head of your bed by 4-6 inches (you can buy devices to do this or just put the feet at the head of the bed onto concrete blocks.)

If all that doesn't work, there's an operation called fundoplication which can tighten the sphincter muscle at the base of your esophagus. It used to be big surgery, but they can do it laparoscopically now.

This is highly unlikely to be cancer!

Ruth

John, GERD can cause all the symptoms you list plus more. I never get heartburn, but I get chest pains. I was freaked because my dad died when he was 46 years old. I had the endoscopy and I have a small hiatal hernia. I take Protonix off and on as I read it can affect bone strength and I have osteroporosis.
A change of diet does make a huge difference. We eat low fat foods, stay away from grease and junk food and eat more veggies and fruit. We also eat about 5 pm at the latest and have a light snack later.
Good luck on your test. Odds are you will be fine

Thank you so much for your reply Nancy, I do hope the results of your husbands scan are positive. I will keep you informed.

God Bless, John

Lisa, Ruth, Mel, Nancy,

Thanks so much for your kind replies and words which have helped me so much. I woke up early this moring in a sweat until I read the replies which calmed me down. I will let you know how the test goes. Thanks again,

John

Hi again Lisa, I've had the condition diagnosed since March 2007 and take Laproscole. All was well until July this year when I felt the lump-like feeling as if there was something stuck in my chest. It kind of went away after about a week until 5th August when I started my holiday. I had the feeling back with heartburn and immediately began to feel extreme anxiety about it which in all honesty I think has made it worse. With the anxiety and fear about having cancer and being miles away from home even today I have the lump-like feeling. I know deep down thait being cancer is slim but just can't help feel the fear!

Best regards, John

i very much share your fear my friend.....the lump in your chest can come from reflux, it can also come from anxiety...believe me, i have suffered with this since 2001, both the reflux and the cancer fear.....i still do suffer with it everyday.... BUT get the acid under control...it's not just heartburn anymore......i take prilosec everyday and if i forget, the reflux reminds me.... take care my friend, i have a feeling that your test will go great...

Thank you so much, your words have been very reassuring. Kind regards and best wishes