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State-of-the-art breast thermography uses ultra-sensitive infrared cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution diagnostic images of these temperature and vascular changes. The procedure is both comfortable and safe using no radiation or compression. By carefully examining changes in the temperature and blood vessels of the breasts, signs of possible cancer or pre-cancerous cell growth may be detected up to 10 years prior to being discovered using any other procedure. This provides for the earliest detection of cancer possible. Because of breast thermography's extreme sensitivity, these temperature variations and vascular changes may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer and/or a pre-cancerous state of the breast.
The best hope for improved breast cancer treatment outcomes lies in earlier detection and patient education. There may be someday a single method for the early detection of breast cancer. Until then, using a combination of methods will increase chances of detecting cancer in an early stage.
WHAT IS THERMOGRAPHY?
Clinical Thermography, otherwise known as Digital Infrared Imaging (DII), is based on a careful analysis of skin and tissue temperatures. It is a diagnostic procedure that allows practitioners to see where there is abnormal chemical and blood vessel activity in body tissue. It is a non-intrusive procedure using the technology of the Infrared Camera and state of the art software.
With each scan an image is formed which is evaluated for signs of possible disease or injury. Extensive research and investigation performed at prestigious medical teaching institutions such as John Hopkins University Medical School, have established normal values for the distribution of heat in each region of the body. Variations from these normal values are measured and correlated with suspected injuries or diseases in the same way a blood or urine laboratory study is interpreted.
IS BREAST THERMOGRAPHY SAFE?
Over thirty years of clinical use and more than 8,000 peer-reviewed studies in medical literature have established thermography as a safe and effective means to examine the human body. It is FDA approved in the United States since 1982 and has been used there and in Europe for over twenty years. Thermography is a non-invasive test. It simply is creating an image of your breasts and body by measuring your heat. There is no contact of any kind, nor is there any pain or radiation.
IS BREAST THERMOGRAPHY HELPFUL AS A BREAST CANCER SCREENING TOOL?
According to IACT (International Academy of Clinical Thermology), breast thermography is a diagnostic procedure that images the breasts to aid in early detection of breast cancer. It is based on the principle that chemical and blood vessel activity in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is typically always higher than in normal breast tissue. Since pre-cancerous and cancerous masses are highly metabolic tissues, they need an abundant supply of nutrients to maintain their growth and this can increase the surface temperature of the breast.
State of the art breast thermography uses ultra-sensitive infrared cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze and produce high-resolution diagnostic images of these temperature and vascular changes.
By carefully examining changes in the temperature and blood vessels of the breast, signs of possible cancer or pre-cancerous cell growth may be detected up to 10 years prior to being discovered using any other procedure. This provides for the earliest possible detection of pre-cancerous and cancerous conditions.
CAN THERMOGRAPHY DIAGNOSE BREAST CANCER?
No. Thermography, like mammography is a screening tool. Thermography identifies abnormal physiological changes in your breasts that may be cancerous. Mammography, a type of x-ray, identifies certain structures in the breast that can potentially be cancer. With both Mammography and Thermography, definitive diagnosis is done by other procedures such as a biopsy or lumpectomy.
DOES THERMOGRAPHY HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHOW EXACTLY WHERE THERE IS A TUMOR?
Thermography does not have the ability to pinpoint the location of a tumor for biopsy purposes. Consequently, for a comprehensive analysis, if indicated, an ultrasound and/or mammography are recommended to complement breast thermography if breast cancer is suspected.
WHY DO I NEED TO DO THERMOGRAPHY WHEN THERE ARE MAMMOGRAMS?
Current methods used to detect breast cancer depend primarily on the combination of both physical examination and mammography. While this approach has become the mainstay of early breast cancer detection, mortality from this disease has gone relatively unchanged for 40 years. Since the prevention of breast cancer has not become a reality as of yet, efforts must be directed at detecting breast cancer at its earliest stage, when there is the greatest potential for successful treatment. Consequently, the addition of breast thermography to the frontline of early breast cancer detection brings a great deal of good news for women.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THERMOGRAPHY AS AN INVESTIGATIVE TOOL?
Unlike mammography and some other imaging modalities, thermography does not require radiation, compression, contact, or intravenous injection. As such, Digital Infrared Imaging is a very comfortable procedure that poses absolutely NO HEALTH RISK to the patient.
While mammography relies primarily on finding the physical tumor, thermography is based on detecting new blood vessels and chemical changes associated with a tumor�?s genesis and growth. By detecting minute variations in normal blood vessel activity, infrared imaging can frequently suggest a pre-cancerous state of the breast or the presence of an early tumor that is not yet large enough to be detected by physical examination or mammography.
Difficulties in reading mammograms can occur in women who are on hormone replacement, are nursing, or have fibrocystic, large, dense, or enhanced breasts. These types of breast differences do not interfere with the thermography scans.
Studies show that an abnormal thermographic image is the single most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer -10 times more significant than a family history of the disease. Consequently, in the absence of other positive tests, an abnormal infrared image gives a woman an early warning. By maintaining close monitoring of her breast health with regular infrared imaging, breast self-exams, clinical examinations, and other tests, a woman has a much better chance of detecting cancer or pre-cancerous conditions at their earliest stage.
HAVE ANY STUDIES BEEN DONE REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF THERMOGRAPHY?
Yes, hundreds of studies have been written up in medical journals.
DO I NEED A REFERRAL FROM MY FAMILY PHYSICIAN?
No, a referral is not necessary.
I UNDERSTAND YOU ALSO DO FULL BODY THERMOGRAPHY, WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO LEARN FROM THAT?
Full body thermography includes a breast scan, so it is comprehensive. A full body thermogram which is suitable for both females and males, young and old, can identify pre-existing conditions, acute or chronic issues as serious as cancer, cardiovascular circulatory conditions, pre-stroke, nervous system disorders, repetitive strain injury, TMJ, arthritis, diabetes, melanoma, liver or kidney disease, thyroid disease, lung conditions, dental infections and, finally, breast cancer.
IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO DO OR NOT TO DO BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT?
To ensure accurate thermal images, the following should be followed.
-On the day of your appointment, avoid using creams or other topical products on the breasts/body and any underarm antiperspirants or deodorants.
-Do not shave.
-Avoid exertion or exercise, hot tubs and saunas for at least 4 hours prior to your appointment.
-Avoid caffeine, nicotine gums, patches and tobacco products.
-No smoking at least 6 hours prior to your appointment.
-Avoid any stimulation to the breast/body a day prior to your appointment.
-If you are nursing, do so at least 1 hour before your appointment.
-Avoid sun or tanning bed exposure to the breasts/body at least 5 days prior to the thermographic appointment.
-Please do not wear any scented products to appointments, including perfume, aftershave, scented deodorant, hair products or fabric scents as many of our clients are very sensitive.
HOW OFTEN WILL I NEED A RE-SCAN?
This depends on the results of your initial scan, your indicators toward breast cancer occurring and present health. The scan repeats vary between 2 months and 2 years.
I HAVE BREAST IMPLANTS, IS THERMOGRAPHY SAFE?
Yes. Breast implants do not interfere with thermography. Breast Thermography is painless and safe, using no radiation or compression. It can be used effectively and safely for all women including pregnant or nursing women, women with dense breast tissue, and women with breast implants.
DOES THERMOGRAPHY REPLACE MAMMOGRAPHY?
Breast thermography has the ability to give a warning signal in advance of invasive tumor growth. Combined with an unprecedented role in risk assessment, screening for younger women, and possibly prevention, breast thermography offers women information that no other procedure can provide. Mammography is used to confirm and locate the suspicious growth. A comprehensive approach should be utilized, including breast self-examinations, physical breast exams by a doctor, thermography, mammography and ultrasound as required.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT AN APPOINTMENT?
Your initial appointment will take 30 minutes for the breast thermography and 50 minutes for a full body thermography. During this time you will complete the breast health questionnaire - and a detailed health history. You will then be taken to a private examination room where you will be asked to disrobe from the waist up for breast thermography and down to the underwear for a fullbody. This is in order to become acclimated to the temperature of the room. A female technician will be available to answer any questions. After 15 minutes, the technician will take a series of images including front, lateral, and oblique views of the breast including the underarm area and thyroid and, in full body, all images of the body.
Within approximately two weeks, you will return to our office and have the results presented to you in person by the practitioner of natural medicine. This follow-up appointment is complementary and can be booked before leaving your initial appointment.
AT WHAT AGE SHOULD I START HAVING THERMOGRAPHY?
Do you know that 23% of all breast cancers occur in women under 49?
This is the most common cancer in women in this age group. Breast cancers in younger women are usually more aggressive and have poorer survival rates. Breast thermography offers younger women a sensitive non-invasive (no radiation and painless) addition to the irregular breast health check-ups beginning with baseline screening from age 2 0.
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