Scanxiety After Cancer: Why It Can Still Feel Real Years Later
- Deborah Ann Martin
- 2 days ago
- 20 min read
Scanxiety After Cancer: The Fear Before a PET Scan
I have friends who have been NED for years, and they tell me how hard it can still be.
I understand.
Even after five years, I am still having scans every three months because of the risk of recurrence.
I think part of the reason is that cancer leaves a permanent reminder behind.
You remember what you were diagnosed with.
You remember the nightmare of treatment.
You remember the surgeries, chemotherapy, medications, hospital visits, side effects, and uncertainty.
For some people, cancer also leaves behind chronic health problems that continue long after treatment ends.
And then there is the possibility of recurrence.
A positive scan does not simply mean receiving bad news.
It can mean starting the fight all over again.
It can mean another round of appointments, decisions, treatments, side effects, expenses, time away from work, and fear.
Cancer reminds us that life has a ticking clock.
It reminds us that the body we once trusted can change without warning.
And it reminds us of a reality that is difficult to put out of our minds:
Cancer can take us at any moment.
That is why I don't think scanxiety is simply fear of a medical test.
It is fear of what that test could do to the future we are trying to build.
And that fear can exist even when the last scan was clear.
Even when you have been NED for years.
Even when everyone around you thinks you should finally be able to relax.
You can be grateful for every clear scan and still be afraid of the next one.
That contradiction is not weakness.
It is part of surviving cancer.
What Is Scanxiety?
A PET scan is not simply another appointment when you have lived through cancer.
It does not matter whether you are having your first scan after treatment or whether you have been a survivor for twenty years.
It does not matter how many previous scans have shown no evidence of disease (NED).
When another scan approaches, the fear can return.
Cancer survivors often call it scanxiety.
The National Cancer Institute describes anxiety and distress as common concerns among cancer survivors, including fear related to follow-up testing and the possibility of recurrence.
For me, scanxiety is not only a worried thought.
It affects my whole body.
What Scanxiety Feels Like to Me
As the date of a PET scan gets closer, I may feel pressure building inside me.
My chest can feel tight.
My breathing changes.
My blood pressure may rise.
My thoughts begin racing.
I start wondering what the scan will show and what I will have to do if the results are not what I hope for.
It can feel similar to an anxiety or panic response because it is both mental and physical.
Anxiety can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort, a racing heart, sweating, shaking, nausea, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating.
Cancer-related anxiety may be connected to tests, recurrence, death, treatment, or uncertainty.
The fear is real even though the result is not yet known.
The Scan Is Not the Only Thing You Fear
People may assume cancer survivors are afraid of the PET scan machine.
Sometimes the procedure itself is part of the anxiety.
But for many of us, the greater fear is what the scan may reveal.
Before the appointment, I pray that the treatment has continued doing its job.
I hope the cancer has not found another place in my body where it can settle, grow, and spread.
I hope the result will continue to show no evidence of disease (NED).
If the scan is reassuring, I can breathe again.
If the scan shows something concerning, I return to uncertainty.
Then I may have to face:
More scans or biopsies
Another surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
A new medication
A clinical trial
Serious side effects
More medical bills
Time away from work
Telling my family
Deciding how much treatment I am willing or able to endure
The fear is not only:
“What will the scan say?”
It is also:
“What will I have to decide next?”
No Evidence of Disease Does Not Remove Every Fear
When doctors say no evidence of disease (NED), it means current testing has not found evidence of cancer.
That is wonderful news.
I am grateful every time I hear NED.
But NED does not offer an absolute promise that cancer can never return.
The American Cancer Society explains that fear and anxiety are common parts of survivorship and that follow-up care may include examinations, blood tests, or imaging depending on the cancer and the individual's circumstances.
Doctors may continue surveillance because cancer can recur even after a period without detectable disease.
That is one reason the next scan can still be frightening.
That is why I can be incredibly grateful for NED and still be afraid of the next scan.
Those feelings can exist together.
Gratitude and fear are not opposites.
I Am Still Three Months Apart From the Next Scan
After five years of recurrences, being three months apart from my scans still means something to me.
Three months is not a long time.
It can feel as though I barely have time to exhale before the next appointment begins approaching.
I finish one scan.
I receive the results.
I feel relief.
I try to return to normal life.
Then the calendar moves.
Another month passes.
Then another.
And eventually I realize:
The next scan is coming.
That is when the memories can start coming back.
Scanxiety Can Return After Many Years
People sometimes believe scanxiety should disappear after a person reaches a major survivorship milestone.
It may lessen.
It may become easier to manage.
It may arrive later than it once did.
But it can still return before another scan.
A person who has been NED for five, ten, or twenty years may still remember:
The first diagnosis
The telephone call with bad news
The surgery
Chemotherapy
Hair loss
Pain
Hospital stays
A loved one who died
A previous recurrence
The feeling of losing control
A scan can bring those memories close again.
Survivorship does not mean forgetting what happened.
The Fear Does Not Always End With NED
This is something I wish more people understood.
You can be NED and still be afraid.
You can be grateful and still be angry.
You can celebrate a clear scan while already worrying about the next one.
You can have survived cancer for years and still remember exactly what it felt like to hear the diagnosis.
For some of us, cancer is not simply something that happened in the past.
It changed how we see the future.
Before cancer, I could make plans without constantly considering whether my health might interrupt them.
After cancer, I know that a scan can change everything.
A positive scan could mean starting the fight all over again.
It could mean putting work and family plans aside.
It could mean making difficult medical decisions again.
It could mean wondering whether I have the strength to go through treatment again.
That is a heavy thing to carry.
And sometimes that is what people are actually afraid of when they say they have scanxiety.
They are not afraid of the machine.
They are afraid of what might happen after they leave the machine.
Cancer Reminds Us of Life's Ticking Clock
Cancer has a way of making mortality impossible to ignore.
We all know, intellectually, that life is temporary.
Cancer makes that knowledge feel much more immediate.
You realize that your body can change.
You realize that plans can be interrupted.
You realize that something you cannot see can grow inside you.
You realize that a doctor can say a few words that completely change the direction of your life.
And you realize that cancer can take us at any moment.
That knowledge does not mean I want to live every day terrified.
Quite the opposite.
It makes me want to appreciate the days when things are good.
It makes a clear scan meaningful.
It makes ordinary mornings meaningful.
It makes time with family meaningful.
But appreciation and fear can exist at the same time.
Scanxiety Can Happen Even After Years of NED
People sometimes assume that scanxiety should disappear after a certain number of years.
Maybe after five years.
Maybe after ten.
Maybe after twenty.
Perhaps it does lessen for some people.
But survivorship does not erase memory.
A person who has been NED for years may still remember:
The original diagnosis
The telephone call with bad news
Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiation
Hospital stays
Pain
Hair loss
Previous recurrence
A loved one who died
The feeling of losing control
The fear of dying
A scan can bring those memories close again.
The National Cancer Institute specifically notes that fear of recurrence can remain a source of distress after treatment and that scans can trigger what survivors call scanxiety.
So when my friends tell me that they have been NED for years and still struggle before scans, I believe them.
I understand them.
Cancer Can Leave an Emotional Scar
Cancer does not always leave only physical scars.
It can leave emotional ones too.
The National Cancer Institute describes survivorship as potentially involving emotional scars, changes in routines, concerns about the future, and difficulty doing things that used to feel easier.
That is part of what I mean when I say that the scan is a reminder.
It reminds me of what happened.
It reminds me of what I survived.
And it reminds me that cancer could potentially return.
That knowledge changes the way you look at time.
You begin to understand how quickly life can change.
A Positive Scan Can Mean Starting the Fight Again
This is one of the hardest thoughts for a cancer survivor to explain to someone who has never experienced it.
A scan is not just a picture.
It can potentially become a decision point.
If something concerning appears, there may be more testing.
There may be treatment.
There may be another surgery.
There may be another round of chemotherapy.
There may be another difficult conversation with your family.
There may be another period of uncertainty.
And there may be another confrontation with mortality.
That is why I do not think scanxiety is simply being afraid of a medical test.
Sometimes it is being afraid of the life that could follow the result.
The Waiting May Be Harder Than the Scan
The scan itself may not take very long.
The waiting can feel endless.
Scanxiety may begin:
When the appointment is scheduled
Days or weeks before the scan
While preparing for the appointment
While waiting at the cancer center
During the scan
Immediately afterward
While waiting for the radiologist's report
While waiting for the oncologist to review it
While waiting for a phone call
While staring at the patient portal
The American Cancer Society notes that anxiety can be especially intense while waiting to learn whether cancer has returned and that seeing results in a patient portal before speaking with a doctor can create additional worry.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply not knowing.
You May Become Irritable Before a Scan
Loved ones may notice a change before the person having the scan recognizes it.
The patient may become:
Snappy
Irritable
Quiet
Distracted
Tearful
Impatient
Restless
Unable to sleep
Unusually tired
Focused on worst-case possibilities
This does not excuse cruel behavior.
It may explain why the person seems unlike herself.
Fear takes up mental space.
When someone is already carrying the possibility of recurrence, an ordinary inconvenience may feel much larger than usual.
A loved one may help by asking:
“Is your scan coming up?”
“You seem worried. Do you want to talk?”
“Would you like company, distraction, or quiet?”
Loved Ones Often Do Not Fully Understand
Unless you have waited for a scan that might change the direction of your life, scanxiety can be difficult to understand.
A loved one may say:
“Don't worry until you know something.”
“Your last scan was fine.”
“You have been cancer-free for years.”
“Thinking negatively will not help.”
Those statements may be logical.
They do not make the fear disappear.
The patient already knows worrying will not change the results.
Anxiety is not always something a person can turn off through logic.
A more helpful response is:
“I understand why this is frightening.”
“You don't have to pretend with me.”
“I will listen.”
“Whatever the results show, you will not face the next step alone.”
Talking Releases Some of the Pressure
One of the ways I manage scanxiety is by talking with trusted friends.
I describe it as releasing pressure from a pressure cooker.
The fear may still be there, but it no longer feels sealed inside me.
When I say the thoughts aloud, they can feel slightly less powerful.
I may say:
“I am afraid the cancer came back.”
“I don't want to go through treatment again.”
“I am afraid of what I may have to decide.”
“I don't want to tell my children bad news.”
The friend does not need to solve those fears.
Listening is enough.
Support from family, friends, support groups, and counselors may help people manage cancer-related anxiety and distress.
Writing Helps Me Process the Fear
Writing is another one of my main coping tools.
Fear can circle inside the mind without reaching an ending.
Putting the thoughts on paper forces me to slow them down.
Writing can help me separate:
What I know
What I fear
What I can control
What I cannot control
What questions I need to ask
What I will do today
I may still feel anxious after writing.
But the thoughts no longer feel as tangled.
This is one reason many Surviving Life Lessons articles include journaling prompts.
It is also why I create plain journals, guided journals, coloring-book journals, and the Don't journal series.
Writing does not replace professional care.
It gives thoughts somewhere to go.
My Three Main Scanxiety Tools
1. Staying Busy
I try not to sit for hours imagining every possible outcome.
I work.
I organize something.
I write.
I complete a household task.
I watch something that holds my attention.
Staying busy does not mean denying my fear.
It gives my mind a break from repeating the same questions.
2. Talking to Trusted People
I choose people who will listen without making the fear worse.
I do not need someone to promise the scan will be clear.
I need someone who can hear that I am scared.
3. Writing
I journal about what I am feeling.
I write questions for the doctor.
I write down possible next steps so they feel less like one giant unknown.
Everyone needs to find the coping tools that work best for them.
10 Other Ways to Manage Scanxiety
There is no single right way to cope.
The National Cancer Institute identifies relaxation, breathing exercises, meditation, guided imagery, problem-solving, counseling, and support from others as possible tools for coping with cancer-related anxiety and distress.
Ask When You Will Receive the Results
Before leaving the appointment, ask:
When should the report be available?
Will it appear in the patient portal first?
Will the doctor call?
Is a follow-up appointment already scheduled?
Who should I contact if I do not hear anything?
Are results delayed over weekends or holidays?
An unclear waiting period can increase anxiety.
Knowing the expected process may make the waiting slightly more manageable.
Schedule the Scan Early in the Day
When possible, an early appointment may reduce the number of hours spent waiting beforehand.
It may also leave time to contact the medical office if questions arise.
Avoid Excessive Internet Searching
Searching every symptom and possible scan finding can make fear worse.
Online information cannot interpret your scan before the radiologist does.
Consider choosing one or two trusted sources and limiting searches during the waiting period.
Prepare Questions Before the Appointment
Write down what you want to ask if the scan is reassuring and what you want to ask if it is not.
Possible questions include:
Does the scan show no evidence of disease?
Is anything new or uncertain?
Does any finding require another test?
When is the next scan?
Are there symptoms I should report?
Would treatment change?
Are there several possible options?
Do I have time to obtain another opinion?
Preparing questions can restore a small sense of control.
Use Slow Breathing
A simple breathing exercise may help calm the physical stress response.
Sit in a comfortable position.
Breathe slowly through your nose.
Let your abdomen rise.
Exhale gradually.
Repeat without forcing the breath.
Slow, deep breathing is one relaxation technique that may help reduce tension and stress.
Use the Five Senses
When thoughts race toward the future, grounding can bring attention back to the present.
Notice:
Five things you can see
Four things you can feel
Three things you can hear
Two things you can smell
One thing you can taste
The scan result belongs to the future.
Grounding reminds me to come back to this exact moment.
Move Your Body Gently
When medically safe, take a walk, stretch, or do another gentle activity.
Movement can release some of the physical tension that builds with anxiety.
The goal is not intense exercise.
It is giving nervous energy somewhere to go.
Listen to Music or Guided Relaxation
Create a scan-day playlist.
Choose music that calms you, encourages you, or allows you to cry.
Guided meditation and imagery may also help some people focus on something besides the scan.
Plan Something Comforting
Schedule something gentle before/after the scan when possible.
It may be:
Breakfast with a friend
A favorite television program
Time outside
A quiet drive
Prayer
A warm bath
Coloring
Journaling
A familiar meal
Do not make the reward depend on receiving a particular result.
You deserve comfort simply for getting through the appointment.
Prayer Can Help Carry the Uncertainty
Prayer is part of how I face cancer.
Before a scan, I pray for reassuring results.
I also pray for strength if the result shows recurrence or another concerning change.
Those are different prayers.
One asks for the outcome I hope to receive.
The other asks that I will not be abandoned if the outcome is difficult.
People in a support group may pray for:
No evidence of disease
Calm during the scan
Strength while waiting
Wisdom for the doctors
Clear treatment choices
Peace for the family
Courage if cancer has returned
Prayer does not guarantee a particular result.
It can remind a person that she is not carrying the uncertainty alone.
Community Groups Can Help People Feel Understood
Surviving Life Lessons Community Groups are being created as places where people can connect around shared life experiences.
The groups are still forming, so I do not want to pretend that every group is already fully active.
The purpose is to create spaces where people can eventually say:
“My scan is tomorrow.”
“I am waiting for my results.”
“I am afraid the cancer has returned.”
“Would someone pray for me?”
Another person may respond:
“I understand.”
“I have a scan next week too.”
“I have been NED for years, and I still get scanxiety.”
“Come back and tell us how it went.”
That shared understanding can reduce isolation.
Neighbor Chat Offers One-on-One Listening
Not everyone wants to share fear in a group.
Some people prefer privacy.
Others may not be ready to join a cancer-specific conversation.
Surviving Life Lessons Neighbor Chat offers a more relaxed, one-on-one place where someone can talk with a person who is there to listen. These are everyday people who have their own overcoming stories and are there to listen to you. Not a counselor but someone who's like a neighbor.
The conversation does not have to be limited to cancer.
A person might want to discuss:
Scanxiety
Family stress
Work
Financial worries
Caregiving
Grief
Loneliness
Fear of recurrence
Another life problem happening at the same time
Neighbor Chat is not medical treatment, therapy, or crisis care.
It is a human conversation for someone who does not want to sit alone with everything building inside.
Sometimes that is what a person needs.
The Dragon Can Represent the Fear
The dragon-themed journals and coloring-book journals on Surviving Life Lessons use the dragon as a symbol.
The dragon can represent whatever problem a person is facing.
For someone living with cancer, the dragon may represent:
The original diagnosis
Fear of recurrence
An upcoming PET scan
Chemotherapy
Pain
Uncertainty
A treatment decision
The waiting period
Coloring gives the hands something repetitive and structured to do.
Writing gives the thoughts somewhere to go.
The dragon remains on the page.
You can face it a little at a time.
Journaling Prompts for Scanxiety
Naming the Fear
What am I most afraid the scan will show?
What decision am I afraid I may have to make?
Which part of my previous cancer experience is this scan bringing back?
What does NED mean emotionally to me?
Separating Facts From Fears
What do I know today?
What am I assuming?
What has my doctor actually told me?
Which questions cannot be answered until the report returns?
What can I control before the scan?
Preparing for Support
Who can listen without trying to fix me?
Who can come with me or wait for my call?
Who should receive updates?
Do I want prayer, distraction, advice, or quiet?
Would I prefer a group conversation or Neighbor Chat?
Planning for Either Result
How will I care for myself if the scan is reassuring?
Who will I call first?
What questions will I ask if the scan shows something concerning?
Who can help me understand the treatment choices?
What will remind me that I do not have to make every decision immediately?
How Loved Ones Can Help
Listen Without Correcting the Fear
Do not immediately say:
“You are going to be fine.”
Instead, try:
“I can understand why this is frightening.”
Ask What Kind of Help Is Needed
The person may want:
Distraction
Prayer
Transportation
Quiet
Company
Help writing questions
Someone to wait for the results with her
A normal conversation that has nothing to do with cancer
Ask rather than assuming.
Do Not Demand Immediate Updates
The person may need time to process the result before telling everyone else.
Agree on one family contact who can share updates when appropriate.
Be Patient With Mood Changes
Scanxiety may make the person distracted or irritable.
That does not mean loved ones must accept abuse.
It does mean they can approach the behavior with curiosity before taking it personally.
Do Not Tell Cancer Horror Stories
The days before a scan are not the time to describe everyone you knew whose cancer returned.
Even well-intended stories can increase fear.
Offer Realistic Reassurance
Try:
“Whatever the scan shows, we will learn what the next options are.”
“You do not have to decide everything today.”
“I will go with you if you want me there.”
“You will not face the next step alone.”
When Scanxiety Needs Professional Help
Some anxiety before a cancer scan is understandable.
Professional help may be needed when fear:
Prevents sleep for several nights
Causes repeated panic attacks
Interferes with eating or drinking
Prevents the person from attending the scan
Makes work or basic daily activities impossible
Leads to heavy alcohol or drug use
Causes hopelessness
Continues at a severe level after the results
Includes thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Cancer-related anxiety can range from normal distress to a more serious condition.
Counseling, cognitive behavioral approaches, relaxation training, medication, and other professional support may help, depending on the individual.
Chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, fainting, or other serious physical symptoms should not automatically be blamed on anxiety. Seek urgent medical help when symptoms could represent a medical emergency.
What I Wish Loved Ones Understood
I wish loved ones understood that scanxiety is not a lack of faith.
It is not negativity.
It is not weakness.
It is the body remembering what cancer did.
It is the mind understanding what another difficult result might require.
A person can believe she will receive good news and still be afraid.
She can pray and still feel her chest tighten.
She can have been NED for years and still dread opening the patient portal.
She may be short-tempered because her body has entered a fear response before she has found the words to explain it.
Sometimes the best thing a loved one can say is:
“I know the scan is coming. I am here.”
What I Wish First-Time Patients Knew
The anxiety you feel before your scan has a name.
It is called scanxiety.
You are not imagining the physical symptoms.
You are not the only person who fears what the report may say.
You do not have to handle the waiting exactly like anyone else.
Stay busy if that helps.
Talk if talking releases the pressure.
Write if your thoughts need somewhere to go.
Pray.
Color.
Walk.
Breathe slowly.
Ask for help.
Tell the medical team when anxiety is becoming overwhelming.
And remember:
The fear does not predict the result.
You can be terrified before a scan and still receive good news.
You can feel calm before a scan and receive unexpected news.
Your anxiety is not a prophecy.
It is a response to what you have already lived through.
Being afraid does not mean the cancer has returned.
Being hopeful does not guarantee that it has not.
You are waiting for information.
And waiting can be one of the hardest parts of surviving cancer.
Hope for Today
Every scan asks you to stand between two possible futures.
In one, the doctor says there is no evidence of disease.
In the other, the scan creates more questions.
While you wait, your mind may try to live in both futures at once.
Bring yourself back to today.
Today, you have not received bad news.
Today, you can breathe.
Today, you can write.
Today, you can talk with someone.
Today, you can ask for prayer.
Today, you can place the dragon on the page instead of carrying it entirely inside you.
Scanxiety may return before the next scan.
That does not mean it controls you.
You can prepare a plan for the fear just as carefully as you prepare for the appointment.
You can ask for help.
You can let people sit beside you in the uncertainty.
And whatever the scan shows, you do not have to face the next step alone.
Sometimes surviving cancer means learning to live between scans.
Sometimes courage is not being fearless.
Sometimes courage is being afraid, showing up anyway, and waiting for the next piece of information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is scanxiety?
Scanxiety is anxiety or distress connected to cancer-related scans and their results. It may begin before the scan and continue while waiting for the medical team to explain the findings.
Can someone have scanxiety after being NED for many years?
Yes. Fear of recurrence and anxiety before follow-up tests can continue during long-term survivorship.
What does no evidence of disease (NED) mean?
NED means current evaluation has not found evidence of cancer. It does not necessarily guarantee that cancer can never return, so follow-up may still be recommended.
Can scanxiety cause physical symptoms?
Anxiety may cause chest tightness, shortness of breath, a racing heart, sweating, shaking, nausea, restlessness, and difficulty concentrating. Severe or new symptoms should be medically evaluated rather than automatically blamed on anxiety.
How long does scanxiety last?
It varies. It may begin when the scan is scheduled, become stronger shortly before the appointment, and continue until the results are explained.
What can help with scanxiety?
Possible coping tools include talking with trusted people, staying busy, journaling, prayer, slow breathing, meditation, guided imagery, gentle movement, counseling, and support groups.
Should I read my scan report in the patient portal?
That is a personal choice. Medical language can be frightening or confusing without a doctor's interpretation. Ask when the doctor will review the report and decide whether you prefer to wait.
How can family members help?
Listen without making promises, ask what type of support is wanted, avoid frightening stories, help prepare questions, and remind the person that difficult results will not be faced alone.
What is Neighbor Chat?
Neighbor Chat is a relaxed, one-on-one Surviving Life Lessons conversation for someone who wants a person to listen. It is not therapy, medical advice, or emergency care.
Support on Your Journey
You do not have to carry scanxiety silently.
Surviving Life Lessons is developing Community Groups where people can connect around shared experiences, ask for prayer, and support one another through difficult waiting periods.
Writing may also help.
A plain journal, guided journal, coloring-book journal, or dragon journal can provide a place to release thoughts that keep circling in your mind. The dragon can represent the scan, the cancer, the fear, or whatever problem feels too large that day.
You do not have to defeat the whole dragon at once.
Sometimes the next step is simply naming it.
“This is what I am afraid of.”
And then taking the next breath.
Find Your Community
No one should have to face life's challenges alone. At Surviving Life Lessons, we believe in life survivors helping life strugglers. Explore our growing Community Groups to connect with others who understand your journey, share encouragement, and find hope through meaningful conversations. You'll also have the opportunity to introduce yourself and share your own story of overcoming. Your story matters. It may be the encouragement someone else needs to keep moving forward, reminding them that they are not alone and that hope is always possible.
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References
National Cancer Institute — Coping: Life After Cancer Treatment
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/survivorship/new-normal
National Cancer Institute — Managing Anxiety and Distress in Cancer Survivors
National Cancer Institute — Adjustment to Cancer: Anxiety and Distress (PDQ®)–Patient Version
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/anxiety-distress-pdq
National Cancer Institute — Meditation and Relaxation for Your Mind and Body
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/relaxation
National Cancer Institute — Emotions and Cancer
National Cancer Institute — Stress and Cancer
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/coping/feelings/stress-fact-sheet
American Cancer Society — How to Cope With Scanxiety
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/how-to-cope-with-scanxiety.html
American Cancer Society — Cancer Recurrence
American Cancer Society — Anxiety
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/side-effects/emotional-mood-changes/anxiety.html
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center — Managing Scanxiety During Your Cancer Treatment
https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/patient-education/managing-scanxiety-during-your-cancer-treatment
Derry-Vick et al. — Scanxiety Among Adults With Cancer: A Scoping Review to Guide Research and Practice
About the Author:
Deborah Ann Martin is the founder of Surviving Life Lessons, a published author, poet, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of management experience across multiple industries. An MBA graduate, U.S. veteran, single mother, and rare cancer survivor, Deborah brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her writing on resilience, leadership, personal growth, and overcoming adversity. Her mission is to empower others with practical wisdom and real-life insight to navigate life’s challenges with strength and purpose.
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