The short answer
Many cancer survivors feel very anxious around the time of scans and follow-up tests, a feeling often called scanxiety. It usually comes from the fear that cancer may come back. Talking with your care team, keeping notes, and staying busy while you wait for results can all help you feel more in control.
Feeling anxious before scans and results is very common, and survivors call it scanxiety.
Scanxiety usually comes from the fear that cancer will return, which is normal and often lessens over time.
Sharing your worries with your care team can help calm your fears.
Keeping busy while waiting for results is a helpful way to cope.
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The full explanation.
What scanxiety is
After cancer treatment, getting scans or other follow-up tests can make people feel very anxious. Some cancer survivors call this feeling "scanxiety."
This anxiety usually grows out of the most common fear after treatment: that the cancer will come back, which is called a recurrence. This fear is normal, and it often lessens over time. Still, even years after treatment, certain events can bring it back. Follow-up visits, screenings, certain symptoms, or the anniversary of your diagnosis can all trigger worry.
Follow-up care itself is a good thing. Regular check-ups let your team look for any changes in your health and check for problems that can show up months or years after treatment. Knowing that your team is watching over you can be reassuring, even when the tests feel stressful.
New symptoms do not always mean bad news
When you meet with your doctor for follow-up visits, it is important to talk openly about any physical or emotional problems. Always mention symptoms, pain, or concerns that are new or that will not go away.
Keep in mind that just because you have new symptoms, it does not mean the cancer has come back. It is normal to have fears about every ache and pain, but they may be problems your doctor can easily address. Ask your team how long certain side effects might last. Over time, you may start to recognize certain feelings in your body as normal.
Gentle ways to cope before and during scans
There are steps you can take that many survivors find helpful.
- Let your care team know your concerns. Be honest about your fears so they can respond. The risk of recurrence is different for each person, and your team can give you the facts about your cancer. Just having the conversation may calm your fears.
- Take notes about your symptoms. Keep a diary or notebook of symptoms and side effects. Write down questions before follow-up visits so you are ready to talk about what you have been going through.
- Ask for a follow-up care plan. This is a summary of your treatment plus next steps for your care. Having a plan may give you a sense of control over your health.
- Keep busy while waiting for results. Schedule time with friends or family, reconnect with people you have not talked to in a while, or treat yourself to self-care such as exercise, meditation, a massage, a manicure, or anything that takes your mind off waiting.
- Talk to a counselor if you need to. If your fears feel like more than you can handle, ask for a referral. A counselor or therapist can help you address your anxiety, and support groups may help too.
Caring for your mind and body
A few gentle habits can support you around scan time and beyond:
- Relax. Relaxation exercises, meditation, and yoga can help reduce stress and ease worry.
- Talk to others. Sharing your feelings with friends and family may help you feel less alone.
- Move your body. Moderate exercise like walking, biking, or swimming can reduce anxiety and lift your mood.
- Write it down. Journaling helps many people let go of worries and fears.
Looking at what you can control
Some people say being organized and having plans helps them feel more in control. Staying involved in your health care, asking questions, keeping your appointments, and setting a daily schedule are all things you can control. While no one can control every thought, many survivors say they try not to dwell on the fearful ones and instead focus on the things that make them feel better.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What is scanxiety?
Scanxiety is the anxious feeling many cancer survivors get around the time of scans or other follow-up tests. Getting these tests can make people feel very anxious, and this feeling usually comes from the fear that the cancer will come back. It is a common and normal reaction.
▸Why do follow-up tests make me so anxious?
Follow-up visits and tests are a common trigger for the fear that cancer will return. During remission, many people feel distressed before follow-up medical visits because they worry the cancer has come back, and waiting for test results can be very stressful.
▸Does a new ache or symptom mean my cancer is back?
Not necessarily. Just because you have new symptoms does not mean the cancer has returned. It is normal to have fears about every ache and pain, but they may be problems your doctor can easily address. Report new or lasting symptoms so your team can check them.
▸What can help me get through the wait for results?
Keeping busy helps. Schedule time with friends or family, reconnect with people you have not talked to in a while, or treat yourself to self-care like exercise, meditation, a massage, or a manicure, anything that takes your mind off waiting.
▸How does a follow-up care plan help?
A follow-up care plan is a summary of your treatment plus recommendations for your care afterward. Having a plan may give you a sense of control over your health, and it helps you and your team know which tests you need and how often.
▸What if my scan anxiety feels like too much?
If your fears feel like more than you can handle, ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist who can help you address your anxiety. Online or in-person support groups may also help. Relaxation methods and gentle exercise can ease worry too.
Questions to ask your doctor
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