SCARED NOW MY FRIENDS HAVE CANCER

Dear Coleen

I’m 57 and everyone around me seems to be getting cancer – two of my friends and a colleague have all been diagnosed within the last few months.

I’m finding it really hard emotionally – not only to be there and support them, but it’s making me so worried for my own health. What can I do?

Coleen says

I’m in my early-50s and I’ve noticed how much more I think about my own mortality. All of a sudden, it seems that people you know are getting ill and, sadly, as we reach our 50s and 60s, more of our peers are being diagnosed with cancer because it’s a disease that’s more common with age.

It’s very hard when close friends and family are affected – my own family has been hugely impacted by cancer, so I can empathise. I think it’s important to try to keep it in perspective because lots of changes are happening in this decade and it can feel all-consuming at times. For many of us, our kids have grown up leaving us with an empty nest and the mid-life crisis seems very real.

In terms of what you can do to tackle things positively, be proactive about your own health. You can take part in screening programmes if they’re offered, and it might also help to talk to someone about how you’re feeling.

Try the CRUK nurse helpline: 0808 800 4040.

You can also read more about what you can do to reduce your risk of cancer, and lifestyle changes that can make a big difference. Visit cruk.org/prevent.