Scanxiety and GBM: Julie Crawshay's Gentle Guide
Many families living with glioblastoma come to know a particular kind of worry, the tension that builds in the days before a scan and while waiting for the results. It is so common that it has earned its own name, scanxiety. Naming it can be strangely comforting, because it reminds you that the feeling is shared and understandable.
Why Scans Feel So Charged
Regular MRI scans are a normal part of monitoring in GBM care. They give the team important information, yet for the person and their family, each scan can feel like a moment when the ground might shift. The anticipation is often harder than the scan itself. The waiting for results, sometimes called the scan-to-results gap, can be an especially anxious stretch.
It helps to remember that these feelings are a natural response to uncertainty, not a sign that you are coping badly. The Neuro Farmacist hears from many families who feel this way, however experienced they become.
Gentle Strategies That May Help
There is no way to make scanxiety disappear entirely, but small practices can take some of the edge off. Different things work for different people, and it is worth experimenting to find your own. Some ideas include:
- Planning something grounding for scan day and results day, such as a walk or time with someone supportive.
- Limiting the waiting window by asking your team, in advance, when and how you will receive results.
- Naming the feeling out loud, which can reduce its grip.
- Keeping routines where you can, since ordinary rhythms can be steadying.
Some people find breathing exercises, gentle movement or talking to others who understand to be helpful. Others prefer distraction. There is no right way to get through it.
When to Reach Out for Support
If the worry becomes overwhelming, affects your sleep, or makes daily life difficult, it is worth mentioning to your team. Support is available, and asking for it is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your specialist nurse, care coordinator, or a psychologist or counsellor may be able to help, and your neuro-oncology team can point you toward the right resources.
Julie Crawshay speaks openly about scanxiety because she has felt it herself as a caregiver. She encourages families to be gentle with themselves in the lead-up to appointments and to lean on each other.
This article shares general coping ideas only and is not a substitute for professional support. Please always discuss significant anxiety, and any questions about your scans or results, with your neuro-oncology team, who know your situation best. You do not have to carry the waiting alone, and that reassurance is something The Neuro Farmacist hopes to offer.
Written for The Neuro Farmacist by Julie Crawshay.