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Breast Thermography
Nina Rea
Many of us have experienced
the effects of breast cancer and want to be proactive in preventing this
disease in ourselves and those we love. There
is an exciting test called Thermography that can determine the health of breast
tissue as much as 8-10 years before mammograms can detect problems.
What is Thermography?
Thermography, also known as
Medical Thermal Imaging, or Medical Infrared Imaging, is best understood if you
think of it like a weather map of the body.
Unlike structural exams, such
as X-rays, Ultrasound, Mammography, and MRI, thermography is a test of
physiology. In other words, Medical
Thermography tests how a body is functioning by using a specialized infrared
camera to measure temperature emitted from the body. Hyperthermic (hot)
and hypothermic (cold) patterns show the body in colors like a weather
map. Interpretation doctors are then
able to discern areas of pathology based upon color patterns.
Benefits of thermography
include:
§
FDA approval
§
No radiation is
sent to or through your body
§
Non-contact and
non-invasive
§
Highly accurate
§
An excellent way
to follow how well treatments are working
Breast Thermography
Breast health is one of the
most exciting applications for Medical Thermography. Remember that thermography is a test of
physiology rather that anatomy. As such,
it’s possible to discern breast abnormalities 8-10 years earlier than with an
anatomical/structural exam such as a mammogram or ultrasound. Of course, you’ll
need to begin tracking your breast health early in life to realize the early
detection benefit.
A recent article published in the
American Journal of Roentgenology, Jan. 2003, concluded that “Infrared imaging
offers a safe, noninvasive procedure that would be valuable as an adjunct to
mammography in determining whether a lesion is benign or malignant.”
This article was the result of
a 4 year clinical study conducted at 5
Mammography vs.
Thermography
One of the tremendous benefits
of thermography is that it is considered the diagnostic tool for earliest
detection of breast health issues. If a report is positive, there is something
wrong with the normal physiology of the body.
It should be noted that as
such, when indications of abnormal physiology are seen, it may well be before a
mass can be detected by an anatomical study such as a mammogram thus the
challenge, but not to panic! Ignoring the findings is not appropriate, and it
should be comforting to know that with such early detection, there’s usually
time for intervention in ways less invasive than biopsies, surgery,
chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Thermography is not a
replacement for mammography – remember anatomy vs. physiology; two different
tests. Ideally women and men will use
Thermography as the earliest step currently available and proceed with their
care provider’s recommendations from there.
It should also be briefly
noted that Thermography is wonderful for those with dense and/or cystic tissue
and is safe and useful for those with breast implants and those who have
undergone mastectomies.
More Information
May I encourage you to do your
home work? An excellent system is one
that is able to change color pallets and provides gray scale images for better
vascular visualization. Also, be sure
that proper thermographic protocol is observed during
testing.
Lastly, you’ll want to be
assured that both the technician and Interpretation doctors are more than
qualified with one or more of the several thermographic boards. Everyone should see themselves in vibrant
“living color.” Chances are that you’ll
benefit greatly.
If you have questions, I’d
love the opportunity to speak with you.
I am a Board Certified Thermographic
Technician with Infrared Thermal Imaging which is a mobile unit
Nina Rea is a Board Certified Medical Thermographic Technician
at Infrared Thermal Imaging. For more
information on this topic, you may contact her at 706.338.3611, or by email at ithermalimage@charter.net.
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© Humber Parkerson Clinic 2008
July 2008 issue of The
Highest Level
