As a person with a cancer diagnosis, you know that scans are a routine part of your treatment plan. But the experience of going for one can still be unpleasant no matter how many times you’ve done it. For some, these feelings can become so intense that they develop into something commonly known as “scanxiety” — the experience of anxiety or fear before, during, and after your radiology appointment.
While it might feel like these unbearable feelings will never end, it is possible to cope with scanxiety so that it becomes more manageable.
Keep reading to discover what scanxiety is, its symptoms, and practical tips for coping with scanxiety during medical scans.
What is scanxiety?
While researchers are still debating the exact definition of scanxiety, most would agree that it is the fear and worry that someone feels about medical scans. It can happen before, during, or after a scan, and might even start days, weeks or even months leading up to the scans.
Even though scanxiety is not considered an official anxiety disorder, it can still have debilitating effects on a person.
What are the symptoms of scanxiety?
Scanxiety can present itself in different ways for people with cancer, and it includes a combination of emotional and physical symptoms such as:
- Feeling intense anxiety, extreme fear, nervousness, or worry
- Irritability
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid heartbeat
- Sweating
- Trouble sleeping
- Appetite changes
- Dizziness
- Tense muscles
Why do cancer patients experience scanxiety?
According to the National Cancer Institute, one of the main reasons why scanxiety happens is due to the uncertainty surrounding the outcome of medical tests. For many people, these tests hold the key to their health and potentially life-altering diagnoses. This anticipation of receiving either good or bad news can be the trigger for feelings of fear and worry.
Sometimes, scanxiety can also develop due to the physical discomfort or claustrophobia associated with the procedure themselves.
Is scanxiety normal?
Scanxiety is a common experience for many going through cancer treatment. It’s normal to feel scared, nervous, and anxious about your scan results or the experience of going for one. Some researchers estimate that around 55% of cancer patients experience scanxiety.
However, many cancer patients also experience anxiety disorders (like panic disorder), where the feelings of fear and worry are persistent. It doesn’t just happen around the time of a scan and it interferes with daily functioning. In such cases, patients might experience more severe anxiety symptoms like panic attacks.
Practical tips for coping with scanxiety
You don’t have to let scanxiety overwhelm you every time you have an upcoming radiology appointment. Here are some coping skills to help you through the process:
Acknowledge the uncomfortable feelings:
We often try to avoid feelings like fear or worry. But to cope with them, the first step is to acknowledge it’s there and realise that they are natural emotional responses. It is quite normal to feel anxious around this time, and realise you are not alone, nearly everyone is feeling this way around the time of their scans.
Avoid Dr. Google:
instead write down questions that you would like to ask your specialist at your next appointment to obtain answers specific to your medical circumstances.
Try not to schedule your scan too far away from your next doctor’s appointment:
Scanxiety is much worse if you have to wait a long time to receive the results. Whilst it is important to allow enough time for a report to be ready when you see your doctor, a couple of days is usually long enough so resist the temptation to do the scan too far in advance.
Stay busy with things you enjoy or treat yourself:
Keep yourself occupied during the time leading up to the scan. Get more involved with your hobbies, or try spending time with loved ones. This can help to distract yourself from distressing thoughts. Perhaps go to a movie, or have a coffee with friends.
Practice calming strategies:
Try things like deep breathing exercises, mediation, and yoga. These relaxation techniques can train your mind to find calmness when anxiety starts creeping up again.
Surround yourself with supportive people:
Lean on your support system during these times. Let them know how you are feeling and how they can best support you.
See a mental health professional:
You may want to get help from a counsellor or psychologist to help work through any fears you have about your scan results. They can also provide more suggestions on ways to cope with scanxiety.
Reward yourself:
plan something to look forward to as a reward for being courageous and getting through the medical appointment and/or obtaining test results.
Scanxiety is challenging, but manageable
Living with scanxiety isn’t easy, but you can reduce its impact with the right coping strategies. This doesn’t mean that you’ll be free of worries or fears, but finding new ways to handle scanxiety may help to make it more bearable. Start speaking to your healthcare provider and support group about scanxiety so you can approach your radiology appointments with less worries.