What is scanxiety?

The end of treatment can bring relief, but also fear and anxiety. Probably the most common fear is that the cancer will come back. Getting scans or follow-up tests can make people feel very anxious—some survivors call this "scanxiety."

Fear of recurrence is normal and often lessens over time. Even years later, follow-up visits, certain symptoms, or the anniversary of a diagnosis can trigger worry.

Things that may help include letting your care team know your concerns, keeping busy while waiting for results, focusing on what you can control, and talking to a counselor if the fear feels like more than you can handle.