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Scanxiety: how to cope before a scan
Scanxiety, the stress around a scan and its results, is common and not a sign you are coping badly. Plan the wait: know when you will get results, plan something for the hours after, and bring someone with you. Small steps reduce how much waiting takes over your days.
Before the scan
- Ask when and how you will get the results, so you are not refreshing a portal.
- Write down your questions in advance so you do not have to hold them in your head.
- Choose who will be with you, in person or by phone.
On the day
- Take something that helps you wait: music, a podcast, a book.
- Tell the team if you feel anxious. They hear this every day.
While you wait for results
- Plan a few ordinary things: a walk, a meal with someone, a film.
- Limit searching online. Pick one trusted source.
- Write what you feel and what helped. Patterns show you what works.
The results appointment
Bring someone to take notes and ask for next steps in writing. Questions that help: What does this mean for my treatment? What happens next, and when? Who do I call if I have questions afterwards?
When to get extra support
If anxiety affects sleep or daily life for days, tell your team. Many hospitals offer counsellors and peer support lines.
Frequently asked questions
Is scanxiety normal?
Yes. Many people feel it before and after scans.
How can I prepare for a scan results appointment?
Write your questions down, bring a note-taker, and ask for next steps in writing.
What should I ask about results timing?
Ask who will contact you, how, and by when.
For information only, not medical advice. For information only, not medical advice. Always follow your care team's guidance, and use the number you were given for anything urgent.