Scanxiety: How to recognize and manage imaging-related stress
May 11, 2026
We’ve all been there: Feeling the knot in your stomach grow before an important medical appointment or grinding through sleepless nights awaiting imaging results. This emotional and physical obstacle course is so common it has been given a name.
"Scanxiety," or scan anxiety, is the nervousness – and in some cases, significant distress – that comes before, during, and after cancer-related imaging exams. Studies of patients with cancer show that more than half (55%) of people experience these feelings.
Many people find scanxiety especially challenging in the days leading up to and during the one- to five-day period while waiting to find out about the results of a scan. Whether it’s your second scan or your 30th, scanxiety can be disruptive. In severe cases, patients may stop getting follow-up appointments or scans to avoid these feelings.
If the thought of having imaging tests done makes you uneasy, you aren’t alone. Worry about the unknown is a normal human response, and there are effective ways to manage these feelings. Our experienced psycho-oncology team can help you cope with the stresses that can come with all stages of cancer treatment including diagnosis, remission, and survivorship.
What are the symptoms of scanxiety?
If you’ve ever had a stress-induced headache, you’ve experienced the mind-body connection. How your mind feels can influence your physical health and vice versa. The same is true for scanxiety, which causes both physical and emotional responses.
Common signs of scanxiety can include:
- Waves of feeling overwhelmed, panicked, or depressed
- Insomnia or sleep disruptions
- Irritability
- Jitteriness or fidgeting
- Racing heart and sweaty palms
- Tension in the shoulders and neck
- Upset stomach or digestive issues
It’s normal to feel a little nervous before an important appointment. But if these feelings are becoming disruptive in your life, it might be useful to work with a psycho-oncology expert. We can help you understand what’s causing your anxiety and offer effective ways to manage your symptoms.
What can cause scanxiety?
Scanxiety is a specific response to the high stakes of treatment for cancer or another chronic condition. It can happen to any patient, even if you’ve never dealt with significant anxiety before.
The time leading up to an imaging exam can be stressful, and that worry may compound afterward while you wait for your results. It can take time for your care team to interpret and report your imaging results, and it’s hard to be calm when you’re anticipating health-related news.
You also may see your test results in MyChart before your doctor contacts you. A 2023 study co-led by UT Southwestern researchers found that 96% of patients prefer to receive their test results through MyChart right away, even before they talk with their doctor. About half said this helped them feel less worried. But if you don’t know what the medical terms associated with your scan actually mean, you may feel more anxious or even panicked.
When information is delayed or missing, your brain is wired to fill in the gaps. Often, this comes in the form of catastrophic thinking – dwelling on the worst possible scenario. Several other factors can also cause or worsen scanxiety, including:
- Fear of hospitals or clinics
- Concern about how the scan results might change your life
- Unclear communication or not knowing what to expect at the appointment
- Poor health care experiences in the past
It can be tempting to turn to the internet when you’re feeling anxious. Try to avoid googling your symptoms or consulting AI with “what if” scenarios. There is a lot of generic and inaccurate information out there, and the rabbit holes you venture down can make you feel more anxious.
Related: Read “Understanding illness anxiety disorder and the risks of Dr. ChatGPT”
How is scanxiety treated?
Scanxiety can feel overwhelming. A trained mental health care provider can work with you on proactive strategies that can help you cope with these challenges, whether you’re new to scans or you’ve been getting them for years.
First, talk with your doctor about the specific imaging you’ll need. Understanding what to expect with an MRI or PET scan helps to reduce unknowns and calm anxiety. Then, ask for a referral to our psycho-oncology team if the distress becomes overwhelming or impairing.
Embedded within the UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, our psycho-oncology experts support patients with cancer by providing a safe space to process their emotions. We can help you develop coping skills to:
- Move forward with your treatment plan
- Communicate with your care team
- Re-engage with your relationships and activities
- Address rumination or fear about the future
- Manage sleep disruptions
- Maintain a high quality of life during treatment
Using proven approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy or acceptance and commitment therapy, we’ll talk through your concerns and your emotions. One highly effective therapeutic technique is to begin to “name the fear.” Together, we’ll identify and acknowledge the worst-case scenarios that keep you up at night. Then we’ll make a plan for what to do if one of them should happen – feeling prepared can actually lessen the anxiety.
Outside the clinic, there are several ways to proactively ease your imaging-related stress. These can include:
- Turn off MyChart notifications: If seeing app or email notifications spikes dread or anxiety, toggle them off within your MyChart test results settings. Waiting to speak with the doctor can give you context for the results and reduce unwarranted stress.
- Prioritize self-care: Eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and getting exercise can help maintain stability in the face of challenging emotions. Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine to excess.
- Practice mindfulness: Trying relaxation techniques, doing some deep breathing, and planning engaging activities can help keep scanxiety at bay during the waiting period.
- Lean on your support network: Talk with friends and family who care about you. Having cancer is scary, and it’s normal to need more support during this stressful time.
How can I support a loved one who has scanxiety?
Many patients tell me that one of the most important things their loved ones can do is just to be there. Knowing someone is in your corner is invaluable. Accompanying them to their appointment or being available to talk before and after can help your loved one feel more supported.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just need to listen. Ask how they are feeling and avoid overly specific or repetitive questions about scan results. Whether you reach out in person, over text, or on the phone, there’s tremendous power in this phrase: You will get through this, and I am here for you.
Waiting for the results of a scan can be stressful, but you don’t have to manage these emotions alone. Scanxiety is a common and manageable part of the cancer care process. Together, we can help you build coping strategies to confront the unknown.
To talk with an expert about scanxiety, make an appointment by calling 214-645-8500 or request an appointment online.
