Scanxiety: A Common Experience When Navigating Cancer and Survivorship
Scanxiety, or scan-related anxiety, is a common experience when navigating cancer and survivorship. The anxiety or distress can range from mild to severe and can occur before, during, and after scans/imaging. As it gets closer to the scan appointment, you may start worrying more about what the scan will reveal. Depending on the type of scan and your tolerance for enclosed spaces, you might experience claustrophobia during the scan. After the scan has been completed, there is often a waiting period before the results are read, interpreted and shared. Results may become available to you in a patient portal before your doctor has had a chance to review and discuss with you, which can add yet another layer of anxiety and distress. For many, this is a period of uncertainty that carries a heavy weight.
Do any of these thoughts sound familiar?
What if the cancer has spread?
What if my treatment isn’t working?
What if the cancer has come back?
I’m terrified of what this will mean for me.
I can’t bear the idea of getting bad news again.
I am going to panic during the scan appointment, I hate small spaces.
Signs and Symptoms of Scanxiety:
Each person may experience scanxiety differently, however, here are some signs and symptoms you may notice around the time of the scan:
Anxiety, worry, and nervousness
Fear about cancer recurrence or progression
Dwelling on worries or replaying fears over and over
Difficulty sleeping
Difficulty concentrating
Irritability
Feelings of dread
Restlessness, agitation or tension
Reduced appetite
Increased heart rate
Avoidance or delay of scans (due to anxiety or distress)
Frequent Googling or repeatedly asking AI questions
Coping Strategies:
Collaborate with Your Doctors and Treatment Team:
It can be helpful to be open with your doctors and treatment team about your questions, concerns, and distress so they can better support you.
Examples:
Ask questions to clarify the timeline for when you will receive results and how they will be communicated with you
Learn more about the scan procedure so you can know what to expect
Ask about options to help make you more comfortable (e.g., can they stream music for you, offer you a pillow, or reposition you in a way that allows you to tolerate the scan better)
Relaxation Strategies:
It can be helpful to practice relaxation techniques when feeling anxious before, during and after your scan. It can also be helpful to practice these skills even outside the timeframe of scans so you feel more confident using them during periods of elevated anxiety and distress.
Examples:
Guided Imagery: This technique uses your imagination to envision a calm or peaceful place. There are many versions of this exercise, but people often enjoy nature scenes (e.g., the beach, a forest walk, or a serene lake)
Progressive Muscle Relaxation: Passive progressive muscle relaxation involves moving from head to toe and gently relaxing muscle groups
Listen to soothing or calming music
Present-moment Focus:
Worry and anxiety tend to bring us into the future (often the scariest version of the future that our mind can conjure) and out of the here and now. Practicing present-moment focus may help interrupt worry spirals and rumination.
Examples:
Mindfulness Practice: Mindfulness involves the practice of bringing your attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgement. There are many different ways to practice mindfulness including various meditations and grounding exercises.
Engage with Pleasant Activities
Engage in a soothing, valued, or pleasant activity that has potential to capture your attention
If while engaging in the activity you find that your mind wanders to the scan or the future, practice noticing that your mind wandered and gently guide it back to the activity (that’s mindfulness!)
Social Support:
When we are feeling distressed or overwhelmed it may help to connect with our friends, family and community.
Examples:
Make plans with loved ones
Share how you feel with trusted and supportive others
Call or text your friends and family
Spend quality time with those you care about
Ask your friends, family and community for help. For example, you can ask if they can accompany you to an appointment.
Support Groups:
Some people find it helpful to connect with others who are also navigating cancer and scanxiety. There are national and local support group options as well as in-person and virtual. You can inquire about support groups offered by your cancer treatment center. Your doctors, cancer navigator, nurses or social workers may be able to point you in the right direction.
Seeking Additional Support:
Scanxiety is a common experience for those navigating cancer and survivorship. For some, it may be manageable with use of helpful coping strategies and social support. For others, it may be more severe or have a significant impact on daily life and functioning. If you find yourself struggling with symptoms of scanxiety, your emotional health while navigating life after a cancer diagnosis, or would like to learn additional strategies to help you cope during this difficult time, reach out to a mental health provider. You don’t have to navigate cancer and survivorship alone.
*Important note: Some of the symptoms described in this blog could be attributed to other causes unrelated to scanxiety (such as the cancer, its treatment, or other mental health conditions). If you notice these signs or symptoms, talk with your treatment team and/or a mental health provider. They can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with scanxiety and what support and treatment options are best for you.
Interested in support with navigating scanxiety or life with cancer? Reach out to our cancer psychology specialist Dr. McDonough to get started…