• Generally, PEM scans are not performed on pregnant YOUR PEM SCAN AT BAYLOR MCKINNEY women. If you are, or think you may be pregnant, discuss this with your physician. PEM SCAN Your doctor has scheduled you to have a Positron Emission Mammography (PEM) scan at Baylor Women's Imaging Center at McKinney. We are dedicated to providing quality WHAT TO BRING AND WEAR TO YOUR care for our patients. Advanced imaging technologies, such APPOINTMENT as the PEM scan, can help provide information about subtle Answers to co on questions changes in breast tissue. Please bring with you: and what you can expect • Insurance cards Understandably, you may feel nervous about this • Previous mammograms or other relevant breast studies procedure, as well as the results. Our goal is to help you • Medical history and a list of current medications relax as much as possible before, during and after the • Pathology reports procedure. Thus, we have a spacious waiting room and Baylor Women's Imaging Center at McKinney • Wear warm, comfortable clothes; the PEM room is cool private patient preparation areas that are equipped with provides education on breast health, including • Avoid clothes with heavy buckles or metal components benign breast conditions, screening and diagnostic televisions and designed with your comfort in mind. services, and breast cancer treatment options. PEM scan is very time-sensitive, so it is important for Information is also provided about breast cancer Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. you to follow these instructions, eating timelines and to prevention, hereditary risk, clinical trials and We may be reached at 469.764.7000. arrive on time for your appointment to help provide an reconstructive surgery. accurate scan. Baylor Women's Imaging Center at McKinney WHAT IS A PEM SCAN? also offers: YOUR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY • Spa mammogram days (quarterly) A positron emission mammography (PEM) scan is a highly advanced medical imaging tool. This is a relatively new, Most insurance companies and Medicare cover PEM scans. advanced application of positron emission tomography Our staff will verify your insurance coverage. You may be (PET) scanning but is specific to the breast. It includes required to pay a co-payment or deductible. Our staff will For a physician referral or for more information about both normal and abnormal metabolic activity, as well as discuss your financial responsibility with you prior to the services offered at Baylor Women's Imaging Center at the anatomic details of the area PEM scan and answer any questions you may have. McKinney, call 469.764.7000. where the normal and abnormal activity is taking place.

A PEM scan is most often used 5236 W. University Drive Scheduling: 469.764.7000 to detect and localize breast Suite 2500 Hours: Weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. cancer and determine the McKinney, TX 75071 Select Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon extent of the spread of cancer BSWHealth.com/McKinneyWomen and its response to therapy. This information can help your doctor better understand what is occurring with your breast and discuss with you the most effective treatment options. Physicians are members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Health Care System’s subsidiary, community, or affiliated medical centers and are neither employees nor agents of those medical centers, Baylor Medical Center at McKinney, or Baylor Health Care System. ©2012 Baylor Health Care System. BMCMcK_98_2012, PEM Scan Broch. MOD-12097. 11/12. PREPARATION FOR A PEM SCAN • The breast is gently positioned between two (2) plates; THE DAY BEFORE YOUR PEM SCAN DONT’S each breast will be scanned in two imaging views (as • Do not eat anything after midnight on the night prior to done for your routine mammogram). DO’S your PEM scan, unless you are instructed otherwise. • The technologist will scan each breast separately for • If you have diabetes or have other problems with your • Avoid all beverages with caffeine and/or sugar. about 10 minutes. The PEM procedure will be complete blood sugar, please call our office to discuss special • Avoid strenuous exercise or physical activity for 24 hours 60 to 120 minutes after the FDG injection. instructions, at 214.820.2430. prior to the appointment. • It’s very important that you do not move or adjust your • Drink at least eight (8) glasses of water the day before position during this scanning process. your scan, unless you are on fluid restriction. It is Avoid sugars and carbohydrates, such as: • When the PEM procedure is complete, the scanner will important that you stay hydrated prior to the procedure. • Alcoholic beverages, beer • Pasta send the information to a computer that displays the • Follow the special diet as noted below. and wine • Pizza dough and PEM images. • Breads, rolls and cakes breading on fried foods • A radiologist who specializes in interpreting PEM images Special Diet • Cereal and oatmeal • Potatoes, corn, onions will review the information and provide a detailed report The quality of a PEM scan may be improved if you eat a • Chips, crackers and popcorn and carrots to your physician. low-carbohydrate diet for at least 24 hours prior to the • Coffee • Rice • The PEM results will be provided to you by the physician appointment. • Desserts and candy • Soft drinks who referred you for diagnostic testing. • Fruit and fruit juice • Tortillas You may enjoy a variety of proteins and vegetables, • Jelly • Yogurt such as: PEM scanner RISKS • Beef • Chicken or fish THE DAY OF YOUR PEM SCAN The risks associated with PEM scanning are minimal. The without breading radioactive sugar compound, which is commonly called FDG, • Eggs, cheese and • For 6 hours before the PEM scan, do not eat or drink • A PEM scan is a non-invasive procedure which can be is short-lived and leaves your body quickly. The radiation milk anything with calories. performed in about 60 minutes. Afterward, you may drive exposure associated with a PEM scan is similar to that • Pork, including bacon • Do not chew gum or use cough drops. and resume your other normal activities. associated with conventional imaging exams. or ham • Drink at least eight (8) ounces of water prior to leaving home. • About an hour before the scan, a nurse or technologist will • Tofu • The day before the scan your diet should be high in protein take a drop of blood from your finger to test your blood You may be worried about the amount of radiation you • Most salad dressings (check label for those under and low in carbohydrates. For example: sugar level. If it is within the acceptable range, a small receive during a medical procedure using radiation. 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving) – Breakfast: eggs, bacon, sausage amount of radioactive sugar, called fludeoxyglucose However, people are exposed to radiation every day of their • Non-starchy vegetables, such as lettuce, tomatoes, – Dinner: steak, baked chicken, fish, cheese, asparagus, (FDG), will be injected into your arm. If your blood sugar is lives from both natural (sun, earth, etc.) and manmade peppers, green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms not within the acceptable range, your PEM scan will need sources (medical procedures, power plants, etc). mushrooms, peas, greens, spinach • Avoid foods high in carbohydrates: bread, rice, potatoes, to be rescheduled. crackers, cereal, fruit (oranges, bananas, pears, apples.) • In preparation for the scan you will be moved to a quiet The amount of radiation from this Positron Emission High-protein, Low-carbohydrate Foods • Avoid foods high in sugar: cake, cookies, candy. room for approximately one hour, to allow the FDG to Mammography (PEM) procedure is well below the levels that Example Breakfast: • If you have diabetes, discuss with your physician and call circulate throughout your body. During this time you can are thought to result in a significant risk of harmful effects. • Bacon or sausage the center staff 48 hours before your scheduled PEM scan. knit, read, and use your headphones. • Black decaffeinated coffee (no sugar) • Continue to take any medication prescribed by your The amount of radiation exposure you will receive from this • Two eggs, any style physician except those for diabetes. Call the center for procedure is estimated to be about what you would receive specific instruction about diabetes medications. WHAT HAPPENS DURING A PEM SCAN? from background radiation sources while living on the earth Example Lunch and Dinner: • If you have been advised to take medications with food, for about 1.9 years and is within diagnostically acceptable • Asparagus, broccoli, or any other green vegetable eat nothing more than a few saltine crackers four (4) to • After preparation, you will then be seated in the PEM chair limits. This is significantly less than what a radiation worker • Steak, chicken or salmon (grilled, baked or broiled) eight (8) hours prior to your exam. and your breast will be positioned in the PEM scanner. can be exposed to in one year and represents a minimal risk • A slice or two of cheese • Avoid caffeine, sugar, tobacco and heavy exercise for (See photo to the left). of cancer caused by the radiation in the future. • Water or diet soda (non-caffeinated) 24 hours prior to your exam.