Severe health anxiety after my mom’s breast cancer + past scare — I can’t tell what’s real anymore
I’m struggling with really intense health anxiety and I’m looking for support from people who understand this.
My mom had breast cancer in her mid-30s (around 35–36). I watched her go through treatment, and it left a big impact on me. I’m currently 25 turning 26, and I’ve been spiralling with fear that I’m going to go through the same thing at the same age.
On top of that, I’ve had a previous breast cancer scare a couple of years ago where I had symptoms/concerns and went through medical follow-up, which really stuck with me mentally even though it didn’t lead to a diagnosis. Since then, I’ve found it hard to trust reassurance or feel “safe” when anything health-related comes up.
Right now I’m waiting on breast imaging and I’m also in the process of genetic testing / high-risk evaluation. Even though nothing has been diagnosed, I keep convincing myself I already have cancer or that it’s being missed. I know logically that doesn’t make sense, but emotionally it feels very real and constant.
I’ve also been dealing with guilt and anxiety about past alcohol use and I keep blaming myself for my health fears, which is making the spiral worse.
I’m crying a lot, struggling to focus at work, and feeling stuck in catastrophic thinking where I jump straight to the worst-case scenario.
Has anyone else experienced this level of health anxiety after a parent’s cancer + a past medical scare? How do you cope with the waiting period and stop your mind from going straight to worst-case thinking?