Taking control of scanxiety: 6 strategies for peace of mind

The night before having a medical test or scan can bring on a whole host of emotions. You check your phone one more time for reminders, pace the room and replay every “what if” scenario in your mind. Even if you know the test is routine, the worry doesn’t always fade. This intense stress and anticipation has a name: scanxiety.

While scanxiety is not a clinical diagnosis, it is a helpful term to make sense of the very specific symptoms of anxiety tied to medical tests and awaiting results. Many people feel nervous before an important appointment, but prolonged and high levels of stress can be disruptive and cause significant worry. Let’s dive into what scanxiety is and how you can manage it, so you can feel confident getting the healthcare you need.

What is scanxiety?

Scanxiety, or scan anxiety, is the anxious feeling that comes before, during and after medical tests and while waiting for results. While most people associate it with cancer screenings, anyone undergoing tests can experience it, especially when the results could affect your (or a loved one’s) health or future care.

Some of the most common tests that can trigger feelings of scanxiety include:

• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
• Mammogram
• Ultrasound
• X-ray
• Colonoscopy
• Echocardiogram (a heart ultrasound)
• Stress test for the heart
• Brain or head scan
• Bone scan
• Biopsy (such as a tissue or needle biopsy)
• Bloodwork or lab tests
• Genetic counseling or prenatal screening tests

Whether you're facing one of these tests or another procedure, recognizing scanxiety and learning how to manage it can make these tests and the feelings that accompany them a bit less overwhelming.

Why is scanxiety so common?

A primary reason scanxiety affects so many people is the uncertainty surrounding medical tests and scans. If you naturally dislike not knowing the outcome of something important, waiting for medical results can trigger worst-case scenarios in your mind. Even when the odds favor a positive outcome, fear can still take hold.

Past experiences can also intensify anxiety. If you or a loved one faced a serious illness before, you may worry about recurrence. For people with chronic conditions who require regular monitoring, scanxiety is often not a one-time experience but an ongoing challenge.

The perceived stakes of the test itself also matter. A routine blood draw may cause little stress, while a scan that could reveal a serious condition can feel overwhelming. Feeling isolated or unsure about what to expect can make the worry even heavier. Even if you’re not alone, it can feel that way, making the waiting period especially difficult.

What does scanxiety feel like?

Scanxiety is more than normal nervousness. It can impact your emotional, physical and psychological well-being.

Emotionally, it can bring about feelings of fear, dread or hopelessness. You may feel like you’re frozen, unable to concentrate on work or daily life. Others may notice that you’re more irritable or tense than normal, and it can affect relationships or ways you interact with people. One study found that 45% of people reported that waiting for imaging results caused an emotional impact, of which the majority, 85% of that 45%, experienced anxiety.

Physically, scanxiety can manifest in many ways. Trouble sleeping, fatigue, headaches or digestive discomfort (like the feeling of a knot in your stomach) are common. Muscle tension, heart palpitations and loss of appetite might also occur. Over time, repeated bouts of scanxiety may contribute to chronic stress, which can have broader health implications.

Psychologically, scanxiety may make you hyper-aware of any minor symptoms or changes in your body. It could also make you hesitant to seek medical care in the future, even when you need it. This mental burden can be just as challenging as the physical aspects of anxiety.

Why facing scanxiety matters for your health

Delaying or skipping important medical tests because of scanxiety can put your health at risk. When some conditions, such as certain forms of cancer, are diagnosed at a later stage, treatment is often more complicated, the likelihood of a positive outcome can be lower and healthcare costs tend to be higher.

A recent survey revealed that nine out of ten Americans have postponed or skipped preventive care appointments that might detect serious health issues, underscoring how both emotional and practical obstacles can prevent people from staying up-to-date with routine screenings.

Your doctor can play a key role in helping you manage feelings of scanxiety. Providers who openly acknowledge the stress of waiting make patients feel seen and supported. Clear communication about what to expect before, during and after a test can reduce some of the uncertainty, and setting realistic timelines for receiving results also helps you cope during the waiting period.

For those who are experiencing significant anxiety, referrals to mental health professionals or stress management resources may be valuable.

6 ways to manage scanxiety

There’s no single method to make scanxiety completely disappear. What matters is finding small, practical ways to make the process feel more manageable. Everyone copes differently, so whether you’re waiting for a routine screening or an important follow-up, there are strategies to help quiet your mind and keep your focus on what you can control.

Here are a few tips to help ease the sense of anxiety before and after a test:

1. Acknowledge what you’re feeling.
   Trying to ignore or suppress anxiety often makes it stronger. Instead, name what you’re feeling and remind yourself it’s normal. Talking openly with a trusted friend or family member can make those emotions feel lighter and less isolating.
2. Focus on what you can control.
   You can’t change when results will arrive or what they’ll say, but you can influence how you spend the waiting period. Prepare questions for your doctor, stay on top of healthy routines and set limits on how often you check your patient portal.
3. Create calming routines.
   Establish a ritual or routine that helps ground you before and after a scan. Maybe it’s listening to calming music on the drive over, practicing breathing exercises while you wait or planning something enjoyable afterward. Small moments of comfort make a big difference.
4. Limit the late-night “what ifs.”
   It’s easy for worry to take over, especially at night, when your mind is racing and distractions fade. If anxious thoughts start to take over, jot them down in a journal or online notes app and tell yourself you’ll revisit them later. Sometimes writing them out is enough to quiet them.
5. Use support systems.
   Doctors and imaging staff know that waiting can be difficult. Don’t hesitate to share your concerns and ask for updates on timing and how you can get your results once they are ready.
6. Be gentle with yourself.
   This is one of those times when self-compassion matters. If you find yourself experiencing scanxiety, remember that feeling anxious doesn’t mean you’re weak or pessimistic. Treat yourself the way you would treat a loved one going through the same thing.

You can manage scanxiety with confidence

Scanxiety is a real and common experience that can affect your emotional, physical and psychological well-being. While it may never disappear entirely, recognizing that these feelings are normal and using practical strategies can make the process of testing and waiting for results less stressful.

Need to schedule a screening if you’re already experiencing scan anxiety? Support is out there. Find a doctor near you