Famous TV presenter Jonnie Irwin, 49, revealed he struggles with anxiety surrounding cancer scans. He calls the experience “frustrating” as he continues battling stage 4 lung cancer.
Often called “scan-xiety” this is the feeling of anxiety cancer warriors and their loved ones experience for looming scans or while awaiting scan results.
Psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Boardman recommends cancer patients do things to take their minds off their scans. This may include exercising, listening to music, participating in some form of art, or whatever brings you joy and helps you pass the time.
Irwin was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020 and later revealed it had spread, or metastasized, to his brain. Since Irwin’s cancer progressed, he’s focused on spending time with loved ones, especially his wife and three young sons.
Ever since famous TV presenter Jonnie Irwin, 49, shared his stage 4 lung cancer diagnosis publicly, the brave and resilient reality TV star has received nothing but praise and support from fans. However, his journey continuously tests his mettle.
Irwin shared a raw and emotional social media post offering insight into what he is dealing with behind the scenes. He still receives regular scans to follow the progress of his advanced lung cancer. He admitted his frustration and anxiety surrounding recurring cancer scans and the uncomfortable space of the unknown.
Irwin photographed himself with his care team in the Instagram post before undergoing scans.
“The wait for more scans is frustrating when you know the cancer is on the move again,” Irwin wrote.
“Meanwhile, there’s stuff I can do to make the terrain as tough as possible for growth,” he continued drawing attention to unnamed therapies he undergoes with the guidance of his healthcare team.
Jonnie Irwin, 49, spends time with his children. (Photo: Instagram/JonnieIrwintv)
Irwin’s bravery to share his cancer journey is offering tons of inspiration for many of his supporters, including Instagram user Julie Ann who praised the “Escape to the Country” star.
“You are a true inspiration for your courage, your strength, and your positivity to fight this horrible Big C, and I pray you’re able to beat this horrible Big C,” Ann wrote.
Instagram user Laura Mahon piled on with more words of encouragement.
“I was diagnosed with grade 4 brain cancer and wasn’t given very long to live, but I’m still here nearly 2 years later. Just keep going. You’re doing amazing, and just live every day the best you can. You are a true inspiration!!” Mahon wrote.
Jonnie Irwin is battling lung cancer (Instagram/@JonnieIrwinTV)
Irwin’s feelings while waiting for cancer scan results are normal for patients and their loved ones. It’s colloquially called “Scan-xiety” which is the anxiety that people living with cancer (or survivors) sometimes feel when thinking about their next scans. It is a major stressor for cancer warriors, and it doesn’t end when the cancer has reached remission. In fact, many cancer patients continue worrying if the cancer will return amid recurrent scans.
“Scan anxiety is unbelievably stressful,” Dr. Samantha Boardman, an assistant professor of psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine, told SurvivorNet.
“Probably one of the best antidotes that I think psychology can offer patients is to experience flow,” which Boardman means to lose a sense of time.
Her advice to help manage your anxiety is to exercise, participate in some form of art, listen to music, or do an activity you enjoy that takes your mind away from potential scan results.
One simple exercise starts with drawing four columns on a piece of paper. “I’ll ask patients to write down what I don’t know, what I do know, what I can’t control, and what I can control,” she said. From there, “a helpful way to dial down their anxiety” involves “trying to move as many items as possible into what they know and can control.”
Visually mapping this process out on a piece of paper can also make patients feel more in control of their circumstances. By taking the anxieties bouncing around in a person’s brain and putting them down in writing, patients are encouraged to feel like they have power over the challenges they’re up against.
“How can we experience flow in our daily lives? It’s usually in some form of a hobby, something we just do because we love doing it,” Dr. Boardman said. “I really encourage patients to find and experience something that they can do that gives them flow. It might be baking, it might be gardening, it might even be doing some housework. They are so immersed in that experience that they’re not thinking about anything else.”
The famous TV host has been battling stage 4 lung cancer since 2020. It’s been a tough battle, but Irwin is focusing on his work, spending time with friends, and, most importantly, making memories with his family.
Jonnie Irwin’s Cancer Battle
Jonnie Irwin’s cancer journey began when symptoms arrived in August 2020. His first symptom occurred during a filming trip when his vision went blurry while driving. After he returned home, he was told he had metastatic lung cancer that had spread to his brain.
WATCH: Diagnosing Lung Cancer.
One of the most worrisome parts of lung cancer is its lack of symptoms until the cancer has already spread, says SurvivorNet medical advisor Dr. Joseph Friedberg. However, once a person suspected of having lung cancer experiences symptoms, their doctor can further investigate the cause with an X-ray to look for anything unusual.
“The question is, well, what stage is it? And so, at this point, the entire workup is an effort to try and determine, do we think that the cancer is spread anywhere? And the things that you would ask for about lung cancer– specifically, any change in your breathing? Do you have a cough? Have you lost any weight? Do you have any pain anywhere? All of these things start to tick off in your head whether they have other potential problems,” Dr. Friedberg said.
Some people with lung cancer may experience symptoms like:
A cough that doesn’t go away, that gets worse, or that brings up bloody phlegm
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Chest pain
Hoarse voice
Appetite loss
Weight loss
TV presenter Jonnie Irwin filmed “Escape to the Perfect Town” in 2021. (Photo: Instagram/@JonnieIrwinTV)
Irwin has since taken chemotherapy and other cancer drugs to help prolong his life, but Irwin knows his disease does not technically have a cure. Still, he’s focusing on the positive, which includes his supportive wife, Jessica Holmes, and their three toddler-age boys.
“One day, this is going to catch up with me,” Irwin said during an interview with the U.K.-based news outlet “The Sun.”
“But I’m doing everything I can to hold that day off for as long as possible. I owe that to Jess and our boys. Some people in my position have bucket lists, but I just want us to do as much as we can as a family.”
Questions to Ask Your Doctor
If you’re battling cancer or on the other side of it, and you’re struggling with your outlook on life, here are some questions you may consider asking your doctor to get the conversation started:
What can I do if I’m struggling to be thankful for what I have in my life?
Are there local resources for people wishing to improve their mental health?
What else can I do to help reduce my stress level during my cancer journey?
It’s difficult for me to find happiness and joy. How can I find help?
Kavontae Smalls is a writer and reporter for SurvivorNet. Read More
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