PRE-EXAMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
The following instructions must be followed in order for the exam to yield valid, accurate results
* Do not wear restrictive clothing such as a bra to the exam.
* Tie your hair up and do not wear jewelry 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
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING EXAMINATION
Your initial appointment will take approximately 30 minutes.
You will complete a questionnaire - and a detailed health history.
You will then be taken to a private temperature controlled room where you will remain and become acclimated to the temperature of the room.
After 15 minutes, the technician will take a series of images including front, lateral, and oblique views.
You may be asked to plunge your hands into ice water for 60 seconds. This is known as a stress test - the shock of the cold water will cause normal blood vessels to contract and cool down while blood vessels feeding abnormal cells will not. The technician will then repeat the process of taking the images for a before and after view.
The image taking itself only takes a couple of minutes.
At this point a follow up appointment will be scheduled in order to have the results presented to you in person.
A copy of your actual scan results will be on hand, you will learn about any potential issues you may have, and be given advice on how to improve your health and prevent breast disease. This follow up appointment is free of charge.
