Is having cancer my fault?

No. Having cancer is not your fault. Many people with cancer feel guilty, but the disease is not something you caused.

Some people blame themselves for upsetting loved ones, missing work, the cost of care, or lifestyle choices they think may have led to cancer. These feelings are common. Still, scientists do not know why one person gets cancer and another does not. All bodies are different, and cancer can happen to anyone.

It may help to share your feelings with someone you trust. If guilt or other painful feelings weigh on you, let your doctor know that you would like to talk with a counselor or join a support group. Expressing strong feelings, rather than keeping them inside, often makes them easier to let go of.