Caretaker guide
A Printable PET-CT Day — Checklist for Families
PET-CT day is long and the preparation is easy to get wrong. This checklist covers what to carry, what to do the night before, and what to expect while you wait.
Medically reviewed by Dr. T. Raghavender Reddy, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · DM (Medical Oncology) · MD (Radiation Oncology) · Last reviewed September 2026
- The preparation decides the image — Eating when you should have fasted is the most common reason a scan has to be repeated.
- Bring the right documents — A missing referral letter or ID can delay the scan even after a long wait.
- Plan for several hours — There is a waiting period after the tracer injection before the scan can begin.
- Your role is to be there — Family members cannot enter the scan room, but being present outside matters more than most families realise.
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On PET-CT day, carry your referral letter, a valid photo ID, previous scan reports, and a list of all medications. Follow the fasting instructions your team has given exactly. Wear loose clothing with no metal. Plan to be at the centre for several hours — there is a waiting period after the tracer injection before the scan begins.
At CION, a whole-body PET-CT starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
What does the family actually do during a PET-CT?
Your role on scan day is to get your family member there calmly, settled, and prepared — and then to wait. The imaging room is not open to family during the scan itself.
The total time at the centre is usually longer than people expect. After the tracer is given by injection, your family member rests quietly for a set period before the scan begins. Queues can add more time on top of that.
If your family member is elderly, anxious, or unwell, tell the imaging staff when you arrive. Many centres can make small adjustments that help.
Why does what you do the night before matter?
A PET-CT shows where cells in the body are using glucose rapidly. If blood sugar is raised by food, the scan becomes harder for the radiologist to read.
The most common reason a scan is repeated is eating or drinking something other than water when the preparation said not to. The second most common is vigorous exercise the day before — it changes glucose uptake in muscles and can create misleading signals.
Read the preparation instructions your team gives you the day before the scan, not on the morning. If anything is unclear, call the imaging centre that evening rather than guessing on the day.
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PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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How does a PET-CT day unfold?
The evening before
Eat your last meal at the time your team specifies. After that, follow your preparation instructions exactly — usually nothing except water and prescribed medications, but confirm the list with your team. Avoid strenuous exercise. Lay out everything you are bringing to the centre.
The morning of
Take only the medications your team has confirmed are allowed on the day. Wear loose, comfortable clothing — a kurta or loose cotton trousers work well. Leave all jewellery, watches, and metal accessories at home.
Arriving at the centre
Bring your referral letter, photo ID, medication list, and any previous scan films or CDs. Tell the staff immediately if your family member is diabetic, has had a reaction to a tracer before, or has any implanted device.
The tracer injection and waiting period
A small amount of radiotracer is given by injection. Your family member then rests quietly in a low-stimulation area for the time the imaging team specifies. Screens, conversation, and walking around are usually limited during this period.
The scan
The scan takes place in a large, doughnut-shaped machine. It is not painful. The imaging team will speak through an intercom throughout. Family members wait outside.
After the scan
Your family member can eat and drink again. Drinking plenty of water helps the tracer clear from the body. Ask the staff before you leave when the report will be available and whether it comes to you or goes directly to your oncologist.
What do we need to prepare and bring for the PET-CT?
- Referral letter from your oncologist — original, not a photocopy
- Valid photo ID: Aadhaar, passport, or hospital card
- Previous PET-CT films or CD, if this is not the first scan
- Printed list of all medications, doses, and timings — including supplements and herbal remedies
- Fasting followed exactly as your team specified
- No strenuous exercise the day before
- Jewellery, watch, underwire, and metal accessories left at home — not just kept in a bag
- Loose, comfortable clothing with no metal zips
- Water to sip if your team has confirmed plain water is allowed during the fast
- Light snack packed separately for after the scan
- Imaging centre contact number saved in your phone
- Someone to escort home — your family member may be tired after several hours
Did you know?
One of the most common reasons a PET-CT has to be repeated is preparation that was nearly right but not quite — a small meal taken too close to the scan, a sugary drink, or vigorous exercise the day before.
A repeated scan means a delayed report, and a delayed report can push back treatment planning. Getting the preparation right the first time matters.
Source: SNMMI (Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging) patient preparation guidelines
Book a PET-CT at CION from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — with an oncologist-reviewed report and a free Rs 950 consultation, across 4 partner centres. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Explore 62 more Family Support, Myths, Follow-Up and Emergencies topics
Caretaker & Family Guide
- A Printable PET-CT Day Checklist for Families
- After the Scan: What the Family Should Know
- Collecting and Storing the Report and Images
- Coordinating a Scan for a Parent in Another City
- Explaining a Parent's Scan to Children
- Explaining the Scan to an Anxious Patient
- Getting an Elderly Parent to and From the Scan
- Helping Someone Fast Before a PET-CT
- Managing Cost and Payment as a Family
- Preparing Questions for the Post-Scan Consultation
- The Family's Complete Guide to a PET-CT Scan Day
- What the Attendant Can and Cannot Do During the Scan
Emergencies & Red Flags
- Accidental Radiation Exposure: Pregnancy Discovered After a Scan
- Breathing Difficulty During or After a Scan
- Delayed Contrast Reaction Hours After the Scan
- Emergencies Around a PET-CT Scan: What Needs Immediate Care
- Fainting or Collapse at the Scan Centre
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycaemia) During Fasting
- Panic Attack During the Scan
- Severe Contrast Reaction: Recognising It
- What to Do If the Cannula Site Swells or Hurts After
- When to Call the Centre After Your Scan
Follow-Up & Surveillance Scanning
- Can You Refuse a Follow-Up PET Scan?
- Follow-Up Scanning During Long-Term Treatment
- How Often Will You Need a PET-CT After Treatment?
- Is Routine Surveillance PET Actually Recommended?
- Keeping a Personal Scan Log
- Reducing Radiation Across Years of Surveillance
- Scan-Based vs Symptom-Based Follow-Up
- Surveillance Scanning by Cancer Type: A Reference Table
- The Annual Cost of Cancer Surveillance Scanning
- Transferring Surveillance to a Centre Closer to Home
- What Happens If a Surveillance Scan Shows Something?
- When Can You Stop Having Scans?
Myths & Misinformation
- Ayurvedic and Alternative Alternatives to a PET Scan
- Myth: A Normal PET Scan Means You Are Cured
- Myth: A PET Scan Can Cause Cancer
- Myth: A PET Scan Detects Every Cancer
- Myth: A PET Scan Spreads or Worsens Cancer
- Myth: A Positive PET Scan Means You Definitely Have Cancer
- Myth: A Scan From a Cheaper Centre Will Not Be Accepted
- Myth: An Expensive Scan Is Always a Better Scan
- Myth: Eating Sugar Before a Scan Will Show Up Cancer
- Myth: PET Scans Are Only for Terminal Cancer
- Myth: The Tracer Injection Is a Kind of Chemotherapy
- Myth: You Should Avoid Water After a PET Scan
- Myth: You Should Get a PET Scan Every Year to Be Safe
- Myth: You Stay Radioactive for Days After a PET Scan
Scanxiety & Emotional Impact
- Fear of What the Scan Will Find
- Getting Bad News From a Scan Report
- Getting Good News: Why Relief Is Complicated
- Living Between Scans: The Six-Month Rhythm
- Making the Most of Your Post-Scan Consultation
- Recurring Scanxiety in Long-Term Surveillance
- Scanxiety: The Fear Before and After a PET-CT
- Should You Look Up Your Results Online Before the Consult?
- Supporting Someone Through Scan Day
- Telling Family About Scan Results
- The Night Before a PET-CT Scan
- Waiting for PET-CT Results: How to Get Through It
- When a Patient Refuses to Have the Scan
- When to Seek Counselling Around Scans
Your next step
Talk to an oncologist about your scan
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Can family members stay in the scan room during the PET-CT?
No. The imaging room is closed to everyone except the patient and the imaging team during the scan itself. You will be asked to wait in a designated area. If your family member is anxious about being alone, tell the imaging staff when you arrive — many centres have an intercom and the team will speak to the patient throughout. Knowing this in advance helps your family member feel less isolated going in.
My family member is diabetic. Does that change the preparation?
Yes, and it is important to tell both your oncologist and the imaging centre in advance. Blood sugar levels affect how the tracer distributes in the body, so people with diabetes may have different preparation instructions from the standard fast. Ask your oncologist to note the diabetes on the referral letter so the imaging team can plan accordingly. Do not assume the standard preparation applies without confirming first.
Is the radiation from a PET-CT safe?
The radiation from a PET-CT is real, which is why oncologists request it only when the clinical benefit is clear. AERB and international imaging bodies have established acceptable exposure ranges for diagnostic scans. The radiotracer clears from the body relatively quickly after the scan. If you have specific concerns, the imaging team can walk you through what the scan involves before it begins — it is a question they answer regularly.
What if my family member feels unwell during the waiting period after the injection?
Tell the imaging staff immediately — do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Reactions to the tracer are uncommon, but the staff are trained to respond to them and the waiting area is monitored for this reason. It is always better to flag something that turns out to be minor than to stay quiet about something that needs attention. The team will decide whether the scan should proceed.
When will the PET-CT report be ready, and who receives it?
PET-CT reports take time because a radiologist must interpret both components of the scan together. They are rarely available the same day. The report typically goes directly to your referring oncologist rather than to you — confirm this at check-in and ask whether you can collect a separate copy. Also ask for the expected date so you are not waiting without a timeline. If it has not arrived when expected, your oncologist's team is the right first call.