scanxiety

scanxiety

English

Etymology

Blend of scan +‎ anxiety.

Noun

scanxiety (uncountable)

1. (informal, neologism) Anxiety experienced while waiting to undergo a medical scan or receive the results of one.
   • 2011, Lori Hope, Help Me Live: 20 Things People with Cancer Want You to Know, Celestial Arts (2011), →ISBN, page 163:

     Even now, almost nine years after Dr. Jablons declared me cured, when I have a "scanxiety" attack or see a frightening cancer headline, I replay his words in my mind and remind myself that I will likely live to play with my son's children and maybe even spend my retirement savings.

   • 2012, Jai Pausch, Dreaming New Dreams: Reimagining My Life After Loss, Crown Archetype (2012), →ISBN, page 78:

     Nevertheless, we both experienced the usual "scanxiety" — the nervous feeling one gets at the approach of a scan date.

   • 2014, Erin Ellis, "Mother finds unique way to share her cancer story with others", The Vancouver Sun, 25 April 2014:

     “It’s an amazing step in our healing journey, as it can be nerve wracking to go through the ‘scanxiety’ every six months,” says Teicher.