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Thermography (or thermal imaging) offers an opportunity for much earlier detection of breast disease than is possible with self-examination, a doctor’s examination, or mammography alone.
This is because this procedure can reveal the most subtle physiological changes that accompany breast pathologies, whether it is cancer, fibrocystic disease, infection, or vascular disease. In my opinion thermography forms a major component in the prevention of breast cancer.
When I was in active practice, thermography was an important part of assessing the health of my patients and to this day I highly recommend it to my clients on my website. In just 15 minutes of non-invasive, painless testing a thermographic scan can alert you to changes that may indicate the early stages of breast disease.
Although thermography cannot diagnose cancer, the scan can reveal the development of a tumor when it is the size of a pinhead. It is about 3 to 5 years earlier than a mammogram would be able to do so.
What is thermography
Why, despite this early detection potential, do women not opt for regular annual thermographic examinations and instead undergo annual mammography? The reason is related to education, which is plain and simple. Many women still do not know that this safe and effective tool for monitoring breast health exists at all.
Thermography offers an opportunity for much earlier detection of breast disease than is possible with self-examination, a doctor’s examination, or mammography alone, because this procedure can reveal the most subtle physiological changes that accompany breast pathologies, whether it is cancer, fibrocystic diseases, infection, or vascular disease.
Thermography uses an infrared scanning device that converts the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of the skin into electrical impulses, which are displayed in color on a monitor. This visual display graphically maps body temperature (the map itself is called a thermogram). The color spectrum on the screen indicates an increase or decrease in the amount of infrared radiation emitted from the body surface.
Due to the high degree of thermal symmetry in a normal body, fine abnormal temperature asymmetries can be easily identified. Once these changes are identified, the physician can accordingly propose and interpret a careful program for further diagnostics and/or monitor your progress.
Research monitors thermographic work
A study conducted at Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell in New York in 2008 found that breast thermography has a 97% sensitivity in detecting malignant tumors. The use of a digital infrared camera identified up to 58 of 60 malignant tumors in breast tissue.
As the medical scientists involved in the study state:
“DITI (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging) is a valuable complement to mammography and ultrasound, especially in women with dense breast parenchyma.”
Mammography has been and is presented in healthcare and the media as a very effective diagnostic test, but the truth is that only eight internationally controlled clinical trials have been carried out concerning this traditional procedure, involving about 500,000 women.
Moreover, a recent analysis of these studies concluded that only two of those studies were statistically representative. Based on those two studies involving approximately 66,000 women, the authors Gotzsche and Olsen concluded that:
“There is no reliable evidence that screening reduces breast cancer mortality – not even a trend toward an effect.”
Thermography, on the other hand, has been researched for more than 30 years and has more than 800 studied papers listed in Index Medicus (the comprehensive bibliographic index of scientific articles focused on medical sciences). Since 1982 it has been used by doctors around the world, saving many lives.
Breast thermographic examination is complemented by a certified technician who takes the images. These images are subsequently interpreted by a verified and licensed medical professional for this examination.
Conclusion
Do you have a woman in your family or among your friends who is at the age for preventive mammography screenings? Then certainly forward this article to her, because it is important that she learns about an alternative that is, compared to mammography, more effective, absolutely safe and, moreover, without any side effects.
