Conquering Scanxiety: Strategies for Managing Anxiety & Fear During Cancer Scans

A cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event that causes various sources of anxiety, affecting the person’s mental health and overall well-being. One of them is "scanxiety."

What Is Scanxiety?

Scanxiety is the anxiety and fear many cancer patients and survivors experience before, during, and after each scan. These negative feelings are typically connected to X-ray, MRI, CT/CAT, and ultrasound scans.

The lingering anxiety can creep up in different ways and at different points surrounding a scan. For example, it can start long before an individual undergoes a scan, persist after the procedure, or both.

Scanxiety is much more than a feeling that disrupts the process of waiting for a scan. It can negatively affect patients’ mental and physical states. Waiting for test results or a diagnosis is already an unsettling roller-coaster ride that brings in a range of emotions. Adding scanxiety could drastically impact people’s quality of life.

For many, coping with the psychological and emotional impacts of undergoing scans can be complex and challenging. But the good news is that scanxiety is manageable with the proper care and support.

How Does Scanxiety Affect the Mind?

A recent study found that around 55% of cancer patients experienced scanxiety. Researchers explained that scanxiety is a common and potentially severe occurrence, highlighting the need for prevention and reduction strategies.

Scanxiety typically manifests in two forms:

• Anxiety: This is characterized by excessive apprehension about a scan. The vulnerability and separation during the procedure are what typically trigger anxiety.
• Distress: This is feelings of sadness, anxiety, or worry caused by emotional, social, spiritual, or physical pain. Being inside a CT scan machine, fear of a cancer diagnosis, and worrying during follow-up checks are examples that can cause distress.

Scanxiety and the Brain

Scanxiety can adversely affect the brain's functioning, leading to mental distress that can cause physical changes. One of these changes is the shrinkage of the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and learning.

Anxiety can also weaken the connection between the prefrontal cortex and the amygdala. The prefrontal cortex helps with cognitive control, including decision-making and processing information. The amygdala regulates emotions and encodes memories.

What Can Trigger Scanxiety?

Overcoming scanxiety can be challenging due to the multitude of potential triggers, some of which are difficult to identify. While certain triggers can be attributed to scanning equipment, others are less tangible.

Scanning Equipment Triggers

As advancements in medical technology continue, more people are undergoing diagnostic scans. While they're essential tools for detecting diseases, scanning equipment can trigger anxiety.

X-ray, MRI, CT/CAT, and ultrasound machines can all be anxiety-inducing. Over 150 million total MRI exams have been performed, with 10 million occurring annually. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of CT/CAT scans almost doubled, from 87.4 scans to 115.7 scans per 1,000 patients. With these numbers, it is clear how equipment-related scanxiety can be so prevalent.

Psychological Triggers

There are also various psychological triggers associated with scanxiety. For example, follow-up checks can induce scanxiety in individuals who fear cancer recurrence. The thought that a cancer diagnosis could follow a scan, waiting for the results, or learning that a loved one was diagnosed with cancer could also trigger scanxiety.

These triggers can progress into significant mental illnesses if left untreated. This can further affect patients’ quality of life, such as the inability to perform daily tasks, a lack of interest in once-enjoyed hobbies, and feelings of isolation.

But despite its prevalence and severity, scanxiety is still manageable.

Ways to Manage Scanxiety

Waiting for scan results or the prospect of undergoing new tests can be incredibly distressing and create a range of negative emotions. Although scanxiety can be challenging, there are several ways to manage it effectively.

1. Talk to Someone

Talking to someone about how you feel can make a world of difference. They can be a trusted friend or a family member. Healthcare professionals are another great source of empathetic communication.

Cancer support groups offer a safe space to share experiences, connect with others going through similar issues, and provide practical advice for managing scanxiety. Support groups can also help reduce the sense of isolation often associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

To help patients deal with scanxiety, healthcare professionals can involve family members in patient care. This can effectively increase mental health and motivation outcomes, especially for older patients. 

Cancer support groups offer a safe space to share experiences, connect with others going through similar issues, and provide practical advice for managing scanxiety.

2. Build Confidence

Confidence building is one of the most powerful tools to use in life, not just to deal with scanxiety. The reason is quite simple—when a person is confident, they are less likely to feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of uncertainty.

One way to build confidence is through health literacy. This involves learning as much as possible about the scanning process, the potential outcomes, and the available support. Knowing what to expect can help reduce the fear of the unknown and promote a sense of control over the situation.

3. Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

Exercise and a healthy diet can have a life-changing impact. Exercise releases endorphins, which can help reduce anxiety and depression. You can start with simple exercises like walking, stretching, or yoga and gradually build up to more strenuous activities.

Remember to incorporate more healthy foods into your daily meal plan. Some nutritious foods include avocados, chicken, nuts, beans, oranges, and lots of vegetables.

4. Have a Routine

When facing a cancer diagnosis, it's easy to feel like your life is out of control. Establishing and maintaining routines can provide a sense of structure and normalcy.

Your daily routine can consist of a set time to exercise, engage in hobbies, spend time with loved ones, and eat dinner. Routines help individuals focus on the aspects of their lives that they can control, reducing feelings of helplessness and anxiety.

Conclusion

Scanxiety can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for many people. However, with the right strategies and support, managing these emotions and maintaining a good quality of life is possible.

Social support, self-confidence, a healthy lifestyle, and a daily routine are excellent ways to combat scanxiety. Patients will be able to take control of their mental and physical health and cope with the stress of scans and cancer treatment.

To learn more about scanxiety and how to help your patients overcome anxiety at their next scan, click the link below.

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