Whether scans are being done for diagnosis, to monitor treatment, or to check for a recurrence, the emotions associated with these scans can be difficult to navigate for many people with chronic illnesses and survivors. Having tests and waiting for results can be scary and incredibly unnerving, and different levels of scanxiety can impact a person’s quality of life.
What is Scanxiety?
“Scanxiety” is a term used to describe the anxiety or stress that people often feel before, during, or after medical scans, especially those used to detect or monitor serious health conditions like cancer. It’s a combination of the words “scan” and “anxiety.”
Symptoms May Include:
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- Insomnia
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability or mood swings
- Physical symptoms like racing heart, nausea, or fatigue
Who Experiences Scanxiety?
- It’s most commonly reported by:
- People living with or recovering from cancer
- Patients with chronic or life-threatening illnesses
- Caregivers or family members of patients
What Causes Scanxiety?
Scanxiety can be triggered by:
- Fear of bad news (e.g., test results showing disease progression or recurrence)
- Uncertainty about what the scan might reveal
- Previous traumatic experiences with scans or diagnoses
- Waiting periods between the scan and getting results
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How to Cope with Scanxiety
1. Breathe
Although we hear this a lot, it really is accurate. Sometimes it seems like your breathing is becoming shallower, and your mind appears to be racing all over the place; the most fundamental methods of box breathing will help:
- Pay attention to how you are breathing right now.
- At the count of four, begin your inhalation.
- Keep still until the count of four is complete.
- At the count of four, let out your breath.
- Repeat.
Box breathing has effectively regulated stressed-out breathing and brought about a sense of peace in many stressful situations.
RELATED: Conquering MRI Anxiety: Your Guide to a Stress-Free Scan
2. Try Meditation
You may find that meditation is a significant component of your overall coping strategy. It’s like you’re doing some advanced kind of box breathing or something. There is an app called Headspace that may be used almost daily to assist with one’s journey toward meditation.
On some days, it may be more challenging to concentrate, yet on other days; you may find that you can simply fall into meditation when you are waiting to pick up your child from school while sitting in your vehicle. It has the potential to significantly assist you in managing your general anxiety, particularly during those draining surges in scanxiety.
3. Find A Soft Place To Land In Your Community
A game changer. Connecting with folks who are on the same page as you is invaluable.
There is no substitute for face-to-face interaction with those who understand the challenges of living with a chronic illness. People are welcomed into the group and encouraged with an abundance of love and compassion at all times.
To check in, all you need to do is whip out your phone and follow the on-screen instructions. You might also go to a local spot where you know people go so they can vent their frustrations and share their stories with you.
4. Consult With The Pros
The mental and physical toll of living with a chronic disease might, at times, seem like it’s too much to bear. Seek the assistance of a specialist as well as your primary care physician when you reach your breaking point from trying to deal with everything.
You may be given a prescription for some medicine that will be of assistance to you, and if necessary, you may also be sent to a therapist. When it comes to coping with scanxiety or any other form of mental health disorder, practicing good self-care is of the utmost importance.
These methods make it simpler to cope with terrifying periods of scanxiety and bring them under control. Don’t be a martyr and suffer in obscurity. This is not a test of your stamina in any way.
5. Take A Hike
Many individuals have found that spending time in nature may calm anxious feelings, and the number of instances that this has been the case is impossible to quantify. People get more out of activities like hiking and beach combing than just fitness. The slowing down of unsettling scanxiety thoughts may be accomplished by combining physical exercise with exposure to the breathtaking beauty of nature.
