Four letters placed together form the diagnosis of stress, anxiety, fear, restlessness and more –P-T-S-D.  Most of us associate it with veteran or victims of assault but post-traumatic stress disorder is more common than we think  and new research shows the trauma of a cancer often leaves survivors with the condition.

WebMD.com says researchers found that most cancer patients "believe they need to adopt a 'warrior mentality,' and remain positive and optimistic" and in so doing not really acknowledge how they really feel.

The researchers found that nearly one in five cancer patients had symptoms of PTSD six months after their cancer diagnosis. And about six percent still had the condition four years after diagnosis.

Whether on the battle field, in a darkened alley or in the hospital room, a life or death fear puts a serious lingering stamp on a lot of us.

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