4 Ways to Prepare Yourself for Stomach Cancer Scans and Tests

Receiving news that you may have stomach (or gastric) cancer can be distressing and worrisome. In such situations, doctors often call for further tests and scans. Although going for these tests may add to your stress, they are essential in helping to determine an accurate diagnosis and staging of your cancer, affecting whether or not treatment would be required. To make the experience easier, learning how to prepare for these tests can be helpful. Knowing what to expect can help you be prepared and make the process less intimidating.

If you have a family history of gastric cancer, experience worrying symptoms, or possess other risk factors related to the disease, your doctors will likely order screening tests and/or scans to find out more about your condition. These are four ways to prepare yourself physically and emotionally.

1. Educate yourself

Familiarizing yourself with these tests and scans and knowing exactly what they entail can help alleviate some of the anxiety you’re experiencing.

There are many ways to learn about the various types of diagnostic procedures, especially those you are due for. Cancer websites like ours offer plenty of resources, like articles and personal stories from other patients and survivors, for you to read up on.

Talking to your doctors is also very helpful. A 2017 study about oncological patient anxiety in imaging studies found that procedure-related information provided by healthcare professionals was an important factor in reducing cancer patients’ overall perception of anxiety. The study’s authors recommended that this should be used as a coping strategy, especially in the pre-procedure phase where patients have higher anxiety levels.

As the medical professionals in-charge of your care, your doctors are the ones who know best about your condition. So, if you have any questions, do not hesitate or feel doubtful about approaching them. Not only can they provide answers, but they can also point you to other reliable resources. This open and continuous communication will be effective in providing all the information and care you need.

“[H]aving patients who are well informed almost always guarantees that more questions are asked and information exchanged, leading to greater satisfaction for both the patient and physician and building a productive partnership.”

– Dr Lidia Schapira, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, Director of Cancer Survivorship at the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center and Cancer Institute

2. Adhere to any diet restrictions

If you are undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, you will need to fast completely for at least 6 to 8 hours before the procedure to ensure that your stomach is empty. Your doctor will also advise you on whether you should continue to take medications such as blood thinners, warfarin, aspirin or diabetes medications.

On the other hand, procedures, such as computerized tomography (CT) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans, may require you to avoid eating and drinking for at least several hours before your examination. You can generally consume clear liquids like water and tea.

Some scans and tests may require you to drink or get an IV of a contrast dye solution. This solution helps to distinguish the esophagus, stomach or intestines from other structures in your body and improve the visualization of these organs. For this reason, your doctors may also recommend that you stay away from solid foods starting from the night before the procedure. This can help to prevent any nausea when you receive the contrast dye.

3. Inform your doctors of any allergies and medications

Please let your doctors know of any allergies you have, especially to iodine or other medications. Some contrast dye solutions contain iodine, so if you are allergic to iodine, you may need to take a steroidal drug the night before and the morning of your examination, together with an antihistamine prior to the procedure.

Inform your doctors if you are actively taking medications for other illnesses such as diabetes. A build-up of diabetes medication in your body can lead to a serious, life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. As the contrast dye can slow down the function of your kidneys — the organs responsible for removing diabetes medication from your body — your doctors will likely instruct you to stop taking them for at least several hours before the exam.

4. Reach out to your family and friends for support

Do not underestimate the support of your loved ones. Spending quality time with them can help to relieve the emotional and mental burden you are currently experiencing. As some of your most trusted confidants, they can offer emotional support by means of providing comfort and a listening ear. Some may even be able to give you more tangible forms of support, such as attending doctor’s appointments and accompanying you on the day of the procedure.

“I do a reality check-in with myself: What did I do at other times in my life when I was anxious or fearful? How did I cope then? I can then use some of those techniques to get me through this anxious time. I often remember that I needed help from my family, friends, doctors, and more, and that reminds me to ask for help this time, too.”

– Alison Mayer Sachs, cancer survivor and oncology social worker, on what she does prior to a CT scan as part of her “scanxiety tool kit”

“Whether you are already going through active treatment, or it is your first time visiting the hospital, it always helps to have a friend or family member with you on the day. … Warn your companion to expect some waiting around but make the most of it and accept this time together. Ask them for any support you might need to make the appointment a better experience. People want to help.”

– Kate Quirk, patient advocate with Neuroendocrine Cancer UK