Patient Preparation

If you and your physician or consulting specialist agree that you need a PET scan, a request should be sent to us at the PETSCAN Centre. You will receive a phone call from our administrator to book an appointment.

• When making your appointment, please inform us if you are or think you may be pregnant, are currently nursing, or if you are diabetic.
• Discontinue any strenuous exercise 48 hours before the appointment as well as on the day of the appointment—no long walks or carrying of heavy items please.
• Do not eat or drink anything other than water for 6 hours prior to your PET scan.
• Patients are encouraged to drink at least 1 litre of water 1 to 2 hours prior to the appointment.
• Continue any medication as normal unless instructed by your physician.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes, any glasses, hearing aids or dentures as required.
• It is perfectly safe to drive to and from your appointment.
• Your appointment will last 2½ hours.
• You will probably be very hungry after having completed your PET scan—bring a light snack with you to give you added strength prior to leaving the Centre.

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Scanning Procedure

You will be injected intravenously with a small amount of FDG (a form of glucose with a radioactive tracer). The amount of radiation received is less than from a typical CT scan. The FDG will distribute through the body and, because cancerous tissue aggressively feeds on glucose, the affected organ shows a concentration of FDG. After sitting quietly for 45 minutes, you will be asked to lie comfortably on a table that passes through the PET scanner. This will take about 45 minutes.

The FDG emits positrons that result in gamma rays that the scanner will record. A computer will process the information into a 3-dimensional picture of the body on a video screen.

The PET scan will show images of your body metabolism (function), rather than pictures of your anatomy (structure) as shown in MRI and CT scans. This may uncover abnormalities or tumours that could otherwise go undetected. Early detection of cancer and recurring cancer is vital to its successful treatment.

In July, 2006, IPET Pharmaceuticals Inc., a related company, obtained a Health Canada Notice of Compliance for its Cantrace™ FDG. For a full copy of the Product Monograph for CanTrace™ FDG, health professionals may contact IPET Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 604-689-7776.

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The PET Scan May Reveal

• If there is a tumour present.
• Where the tumour is.
• If the tumour is benign or malignant.
• Whether current treatment is working.
• Whether the cancer has spread.
• If there are any abnormalities in the brain or heart.

Within 48 hours of your scan, one of our experts in nuclear medicine will diagnose your condition and provide you and your physician with information needed to recommend a plan of treatment.

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The Principles of Our Privacy Code

We respect the confidentiality of your personal information. The following principles ensure that.

1. We are responsible for all personal information under our control, and our Privacy Officer is accountable for our compliance with these principles.
2. We will identify and document the purposes for which personal information is collected.
3. We need an individual’s knowledge and/or express or implied consent for the collection, use and/or disclosure of personal information, except as required or permitted by law.
4. We may collect and use personal information for:
   • Administration of our clinical diagnostic business
   • Recording and processing scan fees
   • Analyses for clinical trial and other Health Canada purposes
   • Legal and regulatory requirements
   • Statistical purposes.
5. We will limit the amount and type of personal information collected to that which is appropriate and/or required for its purposes, and will collect such information by fair and lawful means.
6. We will not use or disclose personal information for purposes other than those for which it is collected, except with consent or as required or permitted by law.
7. Personal information will be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of the purposes for which it is collected, except with consent or as required or permitted by law.
8. We will keep personal information as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as necessary for its purposes.
9. We will protect personal information with safeguards appropriate to its sensitivity.
10. We will be open about our policies and procedures regarding personal information. We will ensure that individuals can reasonably obtain information about our policies and procedures, and make the information clearly and easily available as required or permitted by law.
11. Our Privacy Officer will answer all questions about personal information. The Privacy officer can be contacted at:
    
    International PET Diagnostics Inc.
    880 - 1090 West Georgia St.
    Vancouver, BC  V6E 3V7
    604 689 7776
    Email: info@petscan.ca
    January 1, 2004

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PETSCAN Centre
Owned and operated by International PET Diagnostics Inc.
880 - 1090 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC  V6E 3V7