What You Need to Know about Clinical Thermography
Our Technology
Our facility has brought together years of clinical experience, education and research and has thermographic systems for clinical use to provide patients with the best in Risk Evaluation, Screening, and Adjunctive Diagnostics along with Treatment Monitoring. .
Safety
Thermography is non-invasive, radiation free and 100% safe. Our systems offer a painless, radiation free, non-invasive approach that is adjunctive to other anatomical tests adding invaluable clarity to the clinical picture of a patient’s health. Breast Thermography is approved in the US and has been used in Canada and Europe for over thirty years. Due to the completely non-invasive nature of the technology with no direct touch or contact your safety is assured.
Responsive And Reliable
WE RESPECT YOUR RIGHT TO PRIVACY. YOU ARE ASSURED OF RESPONSIVE AND RELIABLE ANALYSIS AND REPORTING OF THE FINDINGS OF YOUR THERMAL STUDY. WE RECOMMEND, WITH YOUR CONSENT, THAT YOU SHARE YOUR FINDINGS AND THE WRITTEN REPORT YOU WILL RECEIVE WITH YOUR CLINICIAN. ALL THERMAL IMAGES ARE FORWARDED TO A CERTIFIED CLINICAL THERMOGRAPHER WITH DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, HAVING REVIEWED THOUSANDS OF STUDIES, PROVIDING YOU WITH THE ACCURACY IN YOUR REPORT THAT YOU CAN TRUST.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Maintaining Standards Since 1990
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 for a breast study, longer and up to 90 minutes for full body studies. When you book your session the amount of time will be indicated.
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.
PRE-EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
When you arrive for your appointment you will be asked to complete a 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 for your breast thermography. For other studies you will disrobe appropriately, 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.
In order to ensure that your images are accurate, 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: 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