An excessive fear of cancer or a belief that one has cancer despite medical reassurance.
From Greek 'karkinos' meaning 'crab' (the disease was named for the crab-like appearance of tumors) and 'phobos' meaning 'fear.' The term was formalized in medical psychology in the 20th century to describe cancer anxiety disorder.
Ancient Greeks called cancer 'karkinos' (crab) because tumors with their protruding blood vessels looked like crabs—and that 2,400-year-old name stuck! Carcinophobia is fascinating because it shows how medical terminology shapes our deepest psychological fears.
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