10/10/2026
Preparing for and waiting for test results after a scan or imaging test can be scary and nerve-wracking. The distress and anxiety related to cancer imaging and scans is often referred to as “scanxiety”. It’s normal for scanxiety to occur, and it may lead to a lack of sleep, restlessness, heart racing and/or a lack of concentration.
Research shows that scanxiety affects >70% of people with cancer. It can occur before a test or procedure. For example, some people might have a fear of closed spaces - making an MRI feel more frightening, and not just because they are worried about the test results. A fear of needles is also common, which can cause dread in someone who needs an IV to be placed. Scanxiety while waiting for test results is most common before and after a cancer diagnosis. The looming text or email notifications from your patient portal can also lead to scanxiety, especially if your doctor hasn’t reviewed the results yet and/or they’re hard to understand.
What can you do about scanxiety? Talk to your doctor and healthcare team to set certain expectations before any tests or scans. Clear communication about the tests and when to expect results can help ease some of your worries. You can bring a supportive friend or family member with you or join a support group to help calm your nerves. You can also practice breathing and relaxation techniques and meditation before, during and after a scan. If you’re prone to scanxiety and concerned about seeing results before you talk to your doctor, you can change the notification settings on your patient portal.
Click on the link here for more supportive thriver tips and resources.
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/how-to-cope-with-scanxiety.html