Feeling extremely scared

I'm 25 years old, male and recently I've been coughing an awful lot, I've been coughing phlegm as well which has been a mixture of colour, first white and now specs of pink inside, I'm really scared that I might have lung cancer!, it's really scaring me

 

I have been feeling unwell recently and had a blood test which came back all clear, am I just being paranoid as I have only had this cough for a few days now and I suffer bad with anxiety

  • It does sound like your anxiety is making things worse.  Coughs are normal and flecking isn't a sign of cancer, it's burst vessels from coughing so hard.  You are also young which is another benefit against serious health problems.  Just to let you know my husband has lung cancer, he wasn't unwell, never coughed up blood and felt fine, if you are really scared ask for a chest x Ray, the doctors are open so if it continues call them and speak to them.  Good luck, Carol 

  • Hi,

     

    thank you for your reply, just been feeling scared, was tested for covid which came back negative, cough has had good and bad days, been producing mucus of various colours, first green then clear then white but now with blood mixed with it, just really scaring me, could it be because of hard coughing causing a strain?, spoke to the doctor yesterday and he mentioned that it was seasonal asthma, hopefully il start feeling better soon but my anxiety is kicking in bad 

  • It's such a shame that aged 25 years of age that anxiety is causing you to worry about cancer.  I've been on this forum for three years now and most people who think they might have cancer don't at such a young age.  I've also pointed out that Google is causing a lot of this as when you put in every sympton you have it will more than likely point you down that path.  When I was your age having a cough would not have made me think "Cancer".  White mucus is nothing but general coughing, green can be a sign of infection, coughing harshly bursts blood vessels in the throat, coughs can last for weeks, so if yiur GP thinks there is nothing wrong then listen to what they say, what's the point of seeing a doctor then ignoring their diagnosis, if a lawyer gave you an answer would you think, no they are wrong I know better, it's the same scenario.  I can't help your anxiety, but if it carries on try some mindfulness exercises, you can get these on the Web, far better than googling for a diagnosis.  Take care, Carol