Your initial appointment will take 30 minutes.
During this time you will complete the breast health questionnaire - and a detailed health history.You will then be taken to a private examination room where you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up in order to become acclimated to the temperature of the room.
A female technician will be available to answer any questions.
After 15 minutes, the technician will take a series of images including front, lateral, and oblique views.
Full copies of our report will be forwarded to your health care professional as you request.
PRE-EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
In order to ensure that your images are diagnostic, the following instructions must be adhered to:
- Do not wear tight clothing such as a bra to the exam.
- Tie your hair up and do not wear jewellery around the neck area (just for the imaging).
- No prolonged sun exposure (especially sunburn) to the breasts 5 days prior to your exam.
- No use of lotions, creams, powders, or makeup on the breasts the day of the exam.
- No use of deodorants or antiperspirants the day of your exam.
- No physical stimulation (sexual or otherwise) or treatment of the breasts for 24 hours before the exam.
- No exercise 4 hours prior to your exam.
- No shaving on the day of the exam to avoid skin abrasions.
- If bathing, it must be no closer than 1 hour before the exam.
- If you are nursing, please try to nurse as far from 1 hour before the exam as possible.
- No smoking at least 1 hour before imaging
Please note:
During the examination you will disrobe from the waist up for both imaging and to allow for the
surface temperature of the body to acclimate with the room. A female technician will take your
images. Surgical procedures such as implants, reductions, and biopsies do not interfere with infrared
imaging. Breast infrared imaging is perfectly 100% safe to have during pregnancy or when nursing.
You will be requested to sign a thermography consent form before proceeding with imaging.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact our office at 306-522-2407
Safety
Breast Thermography is relatively new in Canada but is approved in the US and has been used in Europe for over twenty years. As stated elsewhere on this site, due to the completely non-invasive nature of the technology with no direct touch or contact your safety is assured.
Can medical thermography diagnose breast cancer?
No. Essentially, the only definite diagnosis of breast cancer is microscopic examination of tissue obtained in a biopsy by a procedure called a lumpectomy or 'needle biopsy'. Thermography, like mammography and ultrasound is a screening tool useful to identify unique and abnormal changes in your breasts consistent with changes that occur when breast cancer may be developing. When there is an abnormal thermography finding you - the patient - and your health care practitioner will be in a better position to make and informed choice with regard to follow-up monitoring and diagnostic steps if indicated.
Is Breast Thermography covered by SaskHealth or other Provincial Health Care Plans?
No. Health Services does not cover the cost of Thermography.
What research has been done to verify the accuracy of thermography?
More than 800 studies have been reported in medical journals.
Do I need a referral from my doctor?
No, a referral is not necessary
How long does it take?
Your entire procedure should take no more than half an hour.
How often is it suggested I do follow up scans?
Typically thermography is done every second year if there are no unusual findings with your initial scan. Specific recommendations for more frequent scans are made on an individual basis as necessary.
I am nursing my baby - is thermography safe?
Yes. Breast Thermography is both effective and safe for pregnant and nursing women.
I have dense breast tissue - is thermography possible for me?
Yes. Breast Thermography is effective, reliable and safe for women with dense breast tissue.
I have breast implants - is thermography possible for me?
Absolutely, with no pain or compression.
