Congratulations for taking pro-active steps regarding the health of your breasts. Before your thermogram, certain protocols must be followed to ensure your images reflect accurate information. These restrictions are advised to prevent overheating of the body and to limit increased blood flow and circulation to the breasts. The goal is to keep stimulation to a minimum prior to your scan to attain the most accurate information.

Five days before your scan

No prolonged sun exposure or tanning booth activity. Sunburn to the chest would preclude the exam.

Within 2-3 days of your scan

Do not schedule your thermogram during menstruation or within 2-3 days before the start of your cycle. Estrogen stimulation and circulation are highest during those times.

Within 24 hours before your scan

No mechanical treatment or stimulation to the neck, back, chest or breasts. This includes chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS, physical therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, hot or cold pack use.

Day of your scan

No caffeine or coffee on the day of your scan. Do not stimulate the breast tissue by using any lotions, creams, powders or makeup. Do not shave under your arms. Do not use roll-on deodorants or antiperspirants. Spray deodorants are acceptable.

4 hours before your scan

No exercise or strenuous physical activity. If you are using anti-inflammatory medications, please do your best to avoid taking these drugs before your examination: Aspirin, Aleve, Advil, and Ibuprofen and similar others.

2 hours before your scan

No smoking.

1 hour of your scan

Do not bathe or eat food.

It is best to wait until you have stopped nursing for at least three months before getting a thermogram. The exception is if you are having problems that suggest an infection or mastitis. Thermography can be very helpful under these circumstances.

Your exam will require you to disrobe to the waist for 15 minutes prior to the exam to allow time for the skin surface temperature to equilibrate to the room’s cool (68UF) temperature. Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothing. Please advise the technician if you have Raynaud’s disease in your hand or other reasons why your hands should not be submersed in cool water for one minute (i.e. a plaster cast, surgery, infection, etc.) Your feet can be used as a substitute.

If you have had a mammogram, ultrasound or biopsy within the last two years, please make every effort to obtain a copy of the written reports from your doctor and bring the report with you. We can make a copy for you at our office. Or, have the reports faxed to our office to be part of your complete record. Our fax number is 440-239-3440.

If you have had an abnormal or suspicious mammogram in the past several years (i.e. you were called back for additional views due to tissue density, etc), it would be very helpful for us to have a written report of the mammogram. Please do not bring in X-Rays.

If you have further questions, please contact our office prior to your scan. Thank you for choosing OsteoMed II and we look forward to meeting you. For more information about other services offered at our clinic, please see our website at www.osteomed2.com