How do I deal with scanxiety after Multiple Myeloma treatment

Managing Scanxiety After Multiple Myeloma Treatment

I understand this is a real and significant challenge. "Scanxiety"—the anxiety and worry that comes before and after medical scans—affects upwards of 80% of cancer patients, according to research in the journal Lung Cancer. For myeloma patients, this anxiety is especially understandable because scans are crucial for monitoring whether your disease remains stable or if it's progressing.

Why Scanxiety Happens with Myeloma

According to the NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Multiple Myeloma, follow-up tests are essential to your care. These tests—including blood work, imaging like PET/CT scans, and other monitoring—help your care team know if your treatment is working and if your myeloma remains stable or in remission.

But here's the reality: each scan carries emotional weight. You're waiting to learn whether the cancer has stayed controlled or if it's coming back. That's a lot to carry emotionally.

Evidence-Based Strategies to Manage Scanxiety

Research suggests these seven practical techniques can help:

1. Plan Ahead

• Schedule your scan at a time that works best for you mentally. If waiting all day increases anxiety, book the first appointment of the day—even if it means waiting a few more days.
• Plan what you'll do in the waiting room (bring a friend, bring a book, listen to music).
• Schedule something positive for the period between your scan and when you get results (like a counselor appointment or coffee with a friend).

2. Identify Your Support People

• Choose people who will listen without judgment and won't minimize your concerns.
• Don't rely on people who will launch into their own problems when you need support.
• Let them know specifically what you need: "I need you to listen" or "I need distraction."

3. Prioritize Sleep

• Aim for 7-9 hours each night, especially in the days before a scan.
• Your immune system and stress resilience depend on adequate sleep.
• Create a soothing bedtime routine an hour before sleep: warm bath, meditation, or reading.

4. Shift Your Thinking

• Rather than preparing for bad news, visualize the best possible outcome.
• Ground yourself in what you want the scan to show.
• Remember: there's no point worrying about the future until you know there's something to worry about.
• If something does show up, your doctor and medical team will be there to help you address it.

5. Create a Comforting Ritual

• Since you'll likely have scans regularly (according to NCCN Guidelines, follow-up tests are done at least every 3 months during certain phases of treatment), develop a consistent routine before each scan.
• Rituals act almost like mindfulness—they anchor you in the moment and provide stability during stressful times.
• This might be: same breakfast, same playlist, same person accompanying you, same post-scan activity.

6. Talk to Your Doctor

• Your oncologist can prescribe medications to help relieve anxiety and depression if needed.
• They can also connect you with professionals like social workers, chaplains, or counselors who specialize in cancer-related anxiety.
• Be honest about how much scanxiety is affecting your sleep, eating, work, or relationships.

7. Zone Out with Healthy Activities

• Schedule time for meditation, walks, gentle yoga, or listening to podcasts.
• Create a "feel-good" playlist for the waiting room.
• Engage in any healthy activity that takes your mind off the scan.
• Exercise is particularly helpful—studies show it counteracts anxiety, improves sleep, and reduces fatigue.

Understanding Your Myeloma Monitoring

According to the NCCN Guidelines, your follow-up tests typically include:

• Blood tests (CBC with differential, metabolic panel, immunoglobulin levels, M protein levels)
• Free light chain assays
• Imaging with PET/CT, low-dose CT, or MRI

These tests help determine your treatment response—whether your myeloma is in remission, stable, or progressing. This information is vital, but it's also understandable that waiting for results creates anxiety.

A Final Perspective

As one resource notes: "The longer people live with cancer, the more they have to learn to cope with this recurring anxiety and find ways to manage it. You can't deny that scans make you anxious, but you can find ways to acknowledge it and comfort yourself through the process."

Scanxiety is normal and valid. The goal isn't to eliminate it completely, but to develop strategies that help you move through it with more ease and self-compassion.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.