Cancer / Question
Published: January 12, 2009
Dear TeenHealthFX,
There's probably not much you could do to help me, but I hope that you have at least a little bit of advice. I have been getting serious daily headaches since May, and a few weeks ago, I went to a neurologist and got bloodwork and an MRI done. I just found out about the results today, and the MRI shows one area with some kind of mass or abnormality. The neurologist said that the radiologist (who is supposedly one of the best in the country) could not figure out what the mass could be, but does not think it is a tumor. The neurologist said that it is probably just an "artifact" and that I am probably fine, but just to be sure, I have to get another MRI. I also have to redo my bloodwork, because that was abnormal (I think he said my "sed" rate/ESR was high). He told me that that could just be from having a cold or something, but he wanted to make sure. Anyway, the problem is that although I am probably overreacting, I am worried about what might be wrong with me. I originally was fine with it and believed the neurologist when he said it was probably nothing, but then my family started teasing me about possibly having a brain tumor, and they tell me that my brain tumor made me too stupid to do or say anything. They say that they are kidding, but I am starting to wonder if there really is something wrong. I am wondering if the neurologist was just trying to keep me from being scared by lying to me. If I do have a brain tumor, I am worried that it will be some kind of massive cancer, and that I will die a slow and painful death. I am not afraid of dying itself, but more of the process of dying. I probably sound like an idiot, worrying about nothing, and I know about iatrogenic effects (from medical procedures or advice), etc. I just don't know what to do.
Signed: Worried I May Have A Brain Tumor
Dear Worried I May Have A Brain Tumor,
TeenHealthFX cannot imagine the neurologist or radiologist would lie to you about what was wrong with you. Even if they only told your parents (which FX thinks is unlikely) we cannot imagine for a second that your parents would make jokes about your having a tumor if they knew something was really wrong with you. FX thinks that it is important that you trust what both doctors have told you. If you find you continue to have difficulty trusting that you do not have a tumor, definitely share your concerns with the doctors so they can explain to you whatever they need to in order to put your mind more at ease about this.
As for the jokes your family is making about your having a tumor, it may be their way to make light of the situation or an attempt to help you feel better. But the fact is that these comments are clearly upsetting to you, and FX thinks that you need to let your family members know this. Explain to them that you are feeling scared that something really is wrong with you and that the jokes they make only heighten this fear and make you worry that people are hiding things from you about your physical health. Your family members may not realize the impact of their comments – so it is very important that you make them aware of how you have been feelings so they can be more helpful and supportive with how you feel, rather than put unnecessary worries into your head.
If you find that you continue to have fears about death and dying, and these fears are interfering with day-to-day life, consider speaking with a mental health professional. A therapist can help you to learn skills and techniques to reduce the frequency and intensity of these worrisome thoughts.
If you live in northern
Signed: TeenHealthFX
While 93% of teenage women report that their first intercourse was voluntary, one-quarter of these young women report that it was unwanted. 
