Andrea's Approach to Scans!

You aren't alone- Scanziety is real and most people on a health journey feel it, including me! I thought I would give you a peek into how I approach MRI scans to reduce anxiety and get through it as calmly as possible. Before my cancer journey, I never gave scans much of a thought (I had never even had a scan prior to my 2023 Prenuvo Full Body MRI). After going through quite a few scans over the past 3 years, I’ve learned that when you have a cancer diagnosis, scans are not neutral diagnostic tools — they are emotionally charged events tied to trauma, diagnosis, and fear of recurrence or progression. Even though scanziety is a normal experience, it’s important to remember that scans can also bring relief and reassurance that everything is looking good.

Here’s how I temper my anxiety around scans in the days leading up to a scan:

• For a few days prior, I envision having a good, clear scan as much as possible.

• I spend time grounding myself- walking in nature, going barefoot on grass or sand and spending time with family.

• I also find mantras to be helpful, for example:

  • I am calm and steady.

  • I am brave. I am resilient. I am strong. I can do hard things.

  • My body is a miracle and is healing.

• On the day of the scan, I give myself some quiet time to reflect and flood myself with positive thinking.

• I dress for success when getting ready to leave for the scan- I put on a favorite outfit, some cool jewelry (to be removed before the MRI since you are not allowed any metal on your body during an MRI), and I wear a sassy, uplifting lip color. This helps me feel more confident!

• When I get to the Radiology Center and am waiting in the waiting room, I listen to music through my wired headphones that pumps me up and makes me feel invincible.

• During the scan, I take it as a few minutes to close my eyes, relax, catch a little shut eye and ignore the banging of the MRI machine. Being in a scan is kind of like being on a plane- no one can reach you and it is just time to spend with yourself. It also can't hurt to bring some ear plugs in case they don't offer them to you.

When the scan is over, I remind myself that the scan is just data. Data that is useful for how I choose to move forward. It is a snapshot in time- not the permanent reflection of my biology. May your scans be a peaceful and positive experience!