Procedure
How is Breast Thermography Performed?
Your visit with us is a very thorough process. It begins with simple preparation
steps that must be strictly followed before you arrive (Pre-Examination Instructions).
Once in the office, you will be asked to complete a breast health history form.
You will then meet with our experienced staff to go over the procedure and review
your breast health. The examination begins with a visual inspection of the surface
of the breasts. This is a standard procedure that correlates any surface findings
with the infrared images. Once this is done, you will be left for 15 minutes in
order for your body to reach a steady temperature state in equilibrium with the
special temperature conditions of the room. After this brief waiting time, you will
be positioned in front of the imaging system so that all of the surfaces of the
breasts, upper chest, and under arms are imaged.
The images are captured in real-time from an ultra-sensitive medical infrared imaging
camera and sent to a sophisticated computer for storage and analysis (the images
are kept on archival media for precision comparison of future images so that the
health of the breasts can be monitored over time). Sophisticated computer programs
allow the doctor to isolate temperature differentials, perform vascular analyses,
dynamic thermal subtraction studies, and more.
Once the images are taken, our on-site Board Certified Clinical Thermologist Dr.
Jeanne Stryker will digitally process and grade the images. You have, as an option,
the ability to meet with Dr. Stryker to review the results of your thermogram immediately
after your visit. Since a consultation time must be set aside at an additional fee,
please arrange this prior to your exam time. Most patients opt to wait for their
written report, which is mailed to you within two weeks.
Depending upon the results of the exam, further tests may be ordered and/or future
infrared scans performed at recommended intervals to monitor the health of the breasts.
The Stress-Free Thermal MD Experience
Thermal Imaging is preventive medicine. And it is so much more desirable to the
stress and discomfort associated with disease management.
Your visit to our state of the art clinic begins with some simple paperwork and
a discussion of the thermal procedure. Then, we bring you into the thermal suite
and acclimate you to the cooler temperatures. The images themselves are non-invasive.
From start to finish, the process takes only 30 minutes - 1 hour.