Thermography and mammograms are complementary breast health tools, each with unique benefits. Mammography uses radiation to reveal the breast structure and detect small cancers, while thermography detects early skin temperature changes hinting at potential pathology and early signs of disease. They are not competitive but synergistic, serving different diagnostic roles. Combined, they offer a fuller picture of breast health and enhanced early cancer detection and risk monitoring.
A test of function and physiology, using Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) to visualize and quantify changes in skin surface temperature.
To see thermovascular changes that can take place long before structural changes; focused on functional changes and early detection.
Uses an infrared camera to record temperature changes to 1/100th of a degree, highlighting physiological changes and metabolic processes.
Non-invasive, no-touch process with no exposure to X-rays, ideal for those uncomfortable in enclosed spaces.
Safe with no radiation, can visualize pain and physiological changes, useful for full body scans, and can detect issues before they become structurally apparent.
Thermography is the only imaging technology at this time that is capable of showing physiological changes and metabolic processes. Thermography can often show where the pain is coming from.
An X-ray of the breast, used to find breast diseases, specifically breast cancer.
To detect breast cancer in the breast tissue for women who have lumps, pain, nipple discharge or other breast cancer risks.
Utilizes radiation to capture images of the breast tissue for structural assessment to identify lumps or masses that may be cancerous.
Involves compression of the breast and exposure to low doses of X-rays.
Reveals breast structure and densities, enabling lump measurement, calcification, pre-biopsy pathology, and precise localization of tumors or abnormalities.
Mammograms along with other diagnostic tools such as X-rays, ultrasound, and MRIs are all tests that provide information on the structures found within the body.
Thermography and mammography deliver different insights and are not in competition but rather complement each other. Mammography and ultrasound look at the structural and tissue densities, which is something Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) doesn't do. However, by combining these modalities, every test's strengths are utilized, enhancing the detection rates of early abnormalities. The aim is always the earliest possible intervention, leveraging the strengths of multiple screening methods to offer the best care.
Thermography stands out as a vital early detection tool for women under 40 with dense breasts or Inflammatory Breast Disease, where mammograms may fall short. It non-invasively pinpoints subtle temperature differences that indicate abnormal growth, offering a crucial window for early intervention in breast cancer detection.
Source: Cancer 71:3547-3551, 1993
Breast thermography is a valuable screening tool for all women, particularly benefiting younger women aged 30 to 50, whose denser breast tissue may render mammography less effective. Yale Medicine points out that breast cancer is the most common cancer among women aged 15 to 39, a demographic not typically recommended for mammograms, thus highlighting the crucial role of thermography, especially due to the faster growth rates of tumors in women under 50.
Source: New England Journal of Medicine
Mammography often falls short for women with dense breast tissue, where both lesions and dense tissue appear white, camouflaging potential cancers. Statistics by the National Cancer Institute suggest that mammograms may miss up to 20 percent of breast cancers overall, with that figure jumping to 40-50 percent in women with dense breasts, presenting a significant challenge for early detection.
Source: American Cancer Society
Thermography plays a crucial role in identifying Inflammatory Breast Disease (IBC), a rare yet highly aggressive breast cancer that disproportionately affects younger women and grows more rapidly than other types. Characterized by its rapid cell division, IBC accounts for about 3% to 6% of all breast cancer cases. Unlike other breast cancers, IBC doesn't form a lump but spreads in nests or sheets, blocking lymph vessels beneath the skin, leading to noticeable warmth and color changes. Traditional methods like mammograms and ultrasounds often fail to detect IBC due to the lack of a distinct tumor. However, the heat and inflammation associated with IBC make thermography an effective tool for its detection, offering a vital early warning sign for those at risk.
Your Thermogram includes a detailed thermal imaging conducted by our expert team using FDA-inspected equipment for precision. Following the imaging, board-certified Thermologists from various medical fields interpret your results. All pricing is upfront, encompassing the full interpretation service without additional fees, guaranteeing clarity and peace of mind with your results.
Thermography empowers women to independently manage their breast health without needing a referral or insurance approval, offering an affordable and uncomplicated way to monitor their well-being.
Thermography offers a safe, non-invasive, and holistic option for breast health surveillance, appealing to those seeking alternatives to traditional invasive screenings.
Our service employs Meditherm's cutting-edge equipment, known for its FDA-inspected medical-grade accuracy in infrared imaging. This ensures every detail is captured with unparalleled precision for your health assessments.
Every Thermogram session with us guarantees a comfortable and quick experience, conducted by a board-certified thermographer, ensuring you receive professional care and precise results in a supportive environment.
Images are analyzed by board-certified Thermologists across diverse specialties, part of Electronic Medical Interpretation (EMI)—Meditherm's premier network. Our pricing fully covers medical interpretation, ensuring no surprise fees post-screening.
Digital copies of your detailed report and images are shared with you and any providers you choose at no additional cost. Our practices focus on natural and preventive medical approaches, reflecting our commitment to your health and early disease detection.
The most comprehensive analysis of all body parts. Final report includes over 25 images with analysis on breast and all other major body functions.
Holistic analysis focusing on body regions impacting women's health including breast, OB-GYN, thyroid, endocrine, visceral, and autonomic status.
Foundational breast screening that images the entire chest and breast region, include side angles.
NOTE: First-time breast scan patients require two scans: an initial baseline scan and a follow-up 90 days later to monitor any pathology development.
* Please be aware that for first-time breast scans, two scans are necessary for effectiveness. This is because thermography relies on establishing a baseline, making it possible to compare subsequent scans and observe any changes in your body over time. Initial scan and follow-up breast scan must be done 90 days apart.
