What is thermal imaging?
Thermal breast imaging, commonly referred to as breast thermography, is a quick, safe, accurate, non-invasive test that can often detect changes that accompany breast disease earlier than breast self-examination, doctor examination, or even mammography.
The earliest stages of breast cancer are accompanied by changes in breast temperature and blood supply. These changes can often be seen on a thermal image, even before a visible tumor develops.
Our thermal imaging system scans the breasts using an extremely sensitive thermal imaging camera that requires no radiation or breast compression.
The resulting images are evaluated by experienced technicians using sophisticated technology to determine if the breasts appear to be at risk for disease.
What are the doctors looking for in a breast thermography photo?
Breast disease alters the breast temperature and surrounding blood supply. These changes can be clearly seen on a thermal image. Your doctor is looking for the first signs of any existing or potential problems.
Early recognition allows for early treatment and greatly enhances the chances of a positive outcome.
What is the main difference between breast thermography and mammography?
Mammograms use radiation to distinguish dense anatomical structures consistent with tumor growth.
Thermograms look at physiological changes that accompany breast disease.
Thermograms don’t “see tumors.” They detect vascular activity and temperature changes that precede or accompany tumor development and growth.
How often should women get breast thermography?
Immediate thermal imaging photos give us a baseline that will allow us to detect any suspicious future changes.
Thermography is recommended on annually for women 30 and over, but may be recommended at 3- to 6-month intervals when there are suspicious thermographic or other diagnostic readings.
Thermography may also be recommended to evaluate the effects of hormone replacement therapy, the efficacy of a given treatment, and/or to identify any other causes for concern.
What will my thermography report tell me?
Your doctor can use your thermography report to evaluate your risk for breast cancer. According to the indicated level of risk, you may be advised to follow a home program to reduce your risk, or you may be referred to a specialist for an intensive, personalized risk reduction program, or to undergo further diagnostic testing.
What can I learn from my thermogram?
Thermography takes the temperature of the breasts. Temperature differentials may be normal for you, or they may reveal underlying physiologic changes. These changes may reflect infection, inflammation, neurological issues, a hormonal imbalance, or cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. Further thermograms can track changes as your body’s physiology returns to normal.
Are there any limitations or disadvantages with breast thermography?
Breast thermography does not replace mammography. It may not detect slow-growing cancers, where the breast temperatures and vascular levels remain largely unchanged.
When breast exams, thermography, and mammography are used as complementary diagnostic techniques, the accuracy rates in detecting breast cancer are dramatically increased.
What happens during a breast thermography exam?
The entire exam takes place behind the privacy of a screen. You will not be directly seen or touched by the clinician. The only discomfort from the exam may be chilliness, as the room needs to be kept at a specific cool temperature for the pictures to be accurate.
The clinician will instruct you to disrobe from the waist up. You will be asked to sit or stand with your hands on your hips (hands not touching your breasts) for about 15 minutes, while your upper body is scanned.
What are the breast thermography “credentials”?
Digital infrared thermal imaging is recognized as a viable diagnostic tool by the FDA, the AMA Council on Scientific Affairs, the ACA Council on Diagnostic Imaging, the Congress of Neurosurgeons, and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Restore your Peace of Mind
- Are you concerned that you or a loved one may be at risk for breast cancer?
- Do you wonder if your hormone replacement therapy is increasing your risk for breast cancer?
- Would you feel better if you had a safe, effective way to evaluate how the medicines or supplements you are taking are affecting your breast tissue?
- Are you aware that thermography can actually see the cumulative effect of breast cancer risk variables on your breast tissue?
- Do you know that thermography can monitor the effectiveness of your efforts to reduce your risk of breast cancer?
For information about the services we offer at Pacific Naturopathic, please give us a call at 650-961-1660, use the convenient Contact Form to get in touch, or follow the link to: Consultations – Pacific Naturopathic. Thank you!