Scanxiety – The Fear of the Decisive Shot

Scanxiety is a portmanteau of “scan” and “anxiety” and describes the fear or nervousness that people often feel before medical examinations such as CT or MRI scans. The term is used particularly frequently in connection with cancer patients who must undergo regular follow-up examinations to ensure that the disease has not returned or progressed. The period between the scan and receiving the results is especially stressful, as uncertainty about one’s health can significantly disrupt daily life.