So really you know what you have to do, stop googling!!  I've just been talking to a friend today, same age as me, 71 years but young at heart, don't forget we're the children of the sixties, an exciting challenging time for us, no social media, no Internet, no googling, we lived our lives, ignored aches and pains, we knew most would go away on their own, and they did, we never discussed cancer as it wasn't in our vocabulary, but we lost grandparents and parents to cancer, my grandad lost his battle with lung cancer whilst I was pregnant with my first baby but never once did it occur to me that I might get it.  So my point is, live each day without worry and stress, it gets you precisely no where, even now as I look after my lovely husband who has lung cancer, not once have I googled his symptons, there is an old saying, never listen behind closed doors as you may hear something you don't wish to hear, to me googling is the same.  So enjoy each day, love your children and be happy for them, they don't need a worried Mummy.  So big hugs your way and look after you.  Carol 

So really you know what you have to do, stop googling!!  I've just been talking to a friend today, same age as me, 71 years but young at heart, don't forget we're the children of the sixties, an exciting challenging time for us, no social media, no Internet, no googling, we lived our lives, ignored aches and pains, we knew most would go away on their own, and they did, we never discussed cancer as it wasn't in our vocabulary, but we lost grandparents and parents to cancer, my grandad lost his battle with lung cancer whilst I was pregnant with my first baby but never once did it occur to me that I might get it.  So my point is, live each day without worry and stress, it gets you precisely no where, even now as I look after my lovely husband who has lung cancer, not once have I googled his symptons, there is an old saying, never listen behind closed doors as you may hear something you don't wish to hear, to me googling is the same.  So enjoy each day, love your children and be happy for them, they don't need a worried Mummy.  So big hugs your way and look after you.  Carol 

Thank you and I know you're right.  I'm 43 and think in some respects technology is good but at the same time it can be extremely negative and have adverse impacts.  

I also lost another 2 grandparents to it and it scares me.  After 8 years of despising my job and coming home in tears everyday (being scrutinised and hurt) I finally have the job of my dreams and a happy home life.  You're so right, I need to focus on that.

Big hug back to you too xx

Sometimes you just need to put a new spin on it, when we're feeling down and scrutinised our minds go into overdrive and we think the worst of ourselves.  I understand where you are coming from, without my knowledge when I worked for the Courts a man I worked with had kept a diary for a year on my every move, then accused me of bullying him, after months of internal investigation, I was exonerated and it was decided he was jealous of my popularity, so it's the other person at fault, not you, have trust in yourself.  Good luck in your new career.  Carol x 

I just screenshot this, I have exactly the same as the lady above and this made me feel so much better. Next time I go to Google I will re read this...thank you so much xx

I've been referred to gynaecologist. I've googled my symptoms & now I've dismissed the more obvious causes for my ailments & keep worrying about cancer. Yet apart from a family history of breast cancer where both members where post menopausal I'm fearing the worse. I've just turned 40. So even though my risk is increased I know it's unlikely.  I was thinking what Dor wrote & she's right. Without google most of us would go to these clinics without worrying about it. Google is great, but not people with health anxiety 

Thank you for your words. Health anxiety consumes my whole

life. 

Hi Nn, 

I feel that health anxiety rules my life too and it's horrible, my other problem is I daren't go for any medical tests either I worry going to the dentist in case he finds mouth cancer, I worry going to the optician because my mum had macular degenrative desease and am convinced the "speckles" the found on my mcular last time is leading me the same way, I wont have cervical smears or mamograms because I am terrified of them finding something, I am at my wits end with it all.

Hi Terrifiedtoo,

I am so sorry to hear how health anxiety and fear of any medical tests is ruining your life. Have you considered getting help for this, as your fears could be storing up more problems for you? It might be worth considering counselling or even hypnotherapy to help, but this should make your life much easier.

Please keep in touch and let us know what you decide to do. 

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Carol - your advice is so true. I've copied your message so I can read it regularly. I have had health anxiety for years and it literally has taken over my life. Any sensation immediately triggers catastrophic thoughts in my mind. I will go back to the sensation again and again to check it's still there and then feel full of anxiety. If ever I'm going on holiday or going away for a weekend or I'm looking forward to something it's worse than ever. I did see a psychotherapist and she did explain to me that some nerve in my neck that travels to my head has got so used to the fight and flight mode that my body just automatically goes to that. I do keep a diary and write my thoughts and feelings in there and sometimes it does help. I am going away this weekend for a friends birthday and all I can think about is the sensation in my tummy on the left side. It's a new sensation so not one I have had checked before. That makes it worse. If it's a sensation that has occurred before I can convince myself that it has been checked and everything is okay. It's a miserable existence. I feel so sorry for all you young ones – I am 61 but do know you are not alone. It helps knowing other people feel like I do. Tx again Carol for your contribution – very wise. X

Hi Nn

I am the opposite. Every time I get a sensation I want to go to the doctors and have it checked out. Until I have seen the doctor I cannot relax. I will wrestle with the symptoms for one or two weeks and if they don't go then I make an appointment to see the doctor and sometimes I am referred for ultrasound or scan and sometimes the doctor can reassure me. I'm not saying what I do is the right thing to do but I do get periods when I don't have to worry once I've had it checked out. Hope you're ok. 

Hi everyone and it's all so sad that you live your lives worrying about dying. So you do not see that ?  I truly struggle to sympathise as it's all such a waste and my life has been for living fully. Even four years into this cancer battle that my husband and I live daily we have always tried to get on with our lovely beautiful life. Family are here for the first time in ten months and we have filled every hour with laughter, food and journeys to the beach, the river and I'm just on my way out with hubby in tow to have coffee and cake before they go home. Please think of the good things in life and put others first. Trust me it works. Carol. X