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Surgery Fears
September 21, 2007
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Some people ‘s fear of surgery can be so serious that they neglect to take care
of serious medical problems. In today's Health Matters, John Biffar meets one inspiring
woman who shows us how important it is to put your fear aside.
Surgery patient Carolyn Foster says she’s a lot like her mother. Especially when
it comes to her fear of doctors. “Socially I see doctors but other
than that. No,
I keep saying you’re fine Carolyn, you’re fine.”
But she wasn’t fine. A colonoscopy revealed she had colon cancer that required surgery.
That’s when Carolyn went to see Colorectal Surgeon Janette Gaw. “I came to her with
fear and apprehension and a bit afraid.”
Anxiety about having surgery is a natural human reaction, but tomophobia is an actual condition meaning you are severely fearful of surgery of any kind. Becoming educated
about your procedure and talking openly with your doctor can help ease some of this fear. Carolyn also says, “She was wonderful in explaining the full details to me
that left me with great confidence in her.”
Dr. Gaw says that while Carolyn’s fears were more severe, physicians say its normal to be nervous about surgery. but after receiving support and information from her
doctor, even Carolyn was able to remain calm and undergo a successful procedure.
“By the very next day or so, she was pretty much up and about by the second day,
she was cleaning the hospital room, you know.”
“From there on out I was go, go, go.” Carolyn wants others to realize that putting
off that important doctor visit also puts off early detection and potentially better
treatment options .
The American Cancer Society says that up to 35 percent of
all cancer deaths could
be avoided through early detection.
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