Managing Anxiety Before Breast Cancer Doctor’s Appointments: What I’ve Learned
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Sitting in the waiting room chair, I felt my heart pounding. This was the same place I sat just before my breast cancer diagnosis. It was where I went to learn that I needed more biopsies. And it was where I learned that my surgeon had removed all of the cancer after my lumpectomy.
This time, I was there for a checkup to review my normal mammogram results. It had been four years since my breast cancer diagnosis, but my anxiety didn’t know that.
If you are feeling anxious before your appointments, you are not alone! In fact, in the cancer community, this anxiety before follow-up imaging or appointments has a name. It is called scanxiety (scan + anxiety = scanxiety), and it is not a pleasant thing to deal with!
Jennifer Douglas
Jennifer is the author of "A Breast Cancer Journey: Living it One Step at a Time," breast cancer survivor, and patient advocate. Her book, published in 2023 by Bold Story Press, is an encouraging guide for breast cancer patients. It contains first-hand information, organized by topics, to help readers navigate the diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from breast cancer. Her writing emphasizes emotional, mental, and physical well-being along with empowered decision-making.