Anxiety After Cancer Diagnosis Experiencing anxiety after diagnosis is not unusual and
often begins as a temporary worry or fear after treatment or a visit to the doctor. In severe
cases, a person's capacity to lead a normal life may be compromised and the ability to
function severely impacted. In addition, many patients experience “scanxiety,” which can
occur days or weeks before and after follow-up scans (x-ray, CT scan, or MRI).