Have questions about Thermography screenings at ThermApproach? Our FAQ section has you covered! From details about how to prepare for your appointment to what you can expect during and after your screening, our comprehensive FAQ is designed to provide you with all the answers.
About ThermographyBefore Your AppointmentAfter Your AppointmentArrive at your scheduled location. After gathering a comprehensive health history from the client, a thermogram takes less than 15 minutes for partial body images and up to 60 minutes for a full body thermogram. It is exactly like having your picture taken with a camera. It is 100% safe and has no radiation, no contact and no pain.
Description of test:
After Your Appointment:
After you leave, your thermogram is then sent online via our secure extranet (not e-mail) and your thermal images are interpreted by board-certified Thermologists. These Thermologists are physicians from various specialties, who form the team at Meditherm, the best Thermologists in the world, with a normal turnaround time of 48 hours, and a rush option for when time matters.
You will receive your reports including your images and the Thermographic Interpretation via encrypted SSL email to you. Printed copies are also available. We exceed all HIPPA compliancy and all image data is backed up daily. As long as you are using a Meditherm provider, we will be able to retrieve your reports for future comparison any where in the world.
Please note that if you've recently undergone any procedures on your breasts, such as a needle aspiration or a biopsy, or if you are currently breastfeeding, we ask that you wait 90 days before scheduling a Breast Thermogram with us.
Mammography uses radiation to capture images of breast anatomy and structure, potentially detecting cancers as small as a few millimeters. Thermography, on the other hand, is a physiological test that measures subtle temperature changes on the skin's surface associated with underlying pathology, without using radiation or compression.
No, thermography cannot "see" a cancer. It detects physiological changes that may suggest an increased risk of cancer at a cellular level, even before it becomes visible on a mammogram.
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Thermography can indicate estrogen dominance, lymphatic congestion, and the effects of a person's diet on breast health. It's a tool not just for disease detection but for monitoring overall health and the effectiveness of lifestyle changes.
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Thermography should not replace mammography. Instead, it adds valuable information by identifying physiological changes that could indicate an increased risk of developing breast cancer, complementing the anatomical information provided by mammography.
Both tests are recommended for a holistic approach to Women's Breast Health Management, because the two tests provide different kinds of information. Mammography can detect actual cancers, while thermography can help identify areas of concern at a much earlier stage. Both are effective tools to a comprehensive breast health monitoring strategy.
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The debate mirrors the larger discussion between conventional and alternative medicine approaches. Mammography is a well-established diagnostic tool in conventional medicine, while thermography offers a more preventative perspective, highlighting the importance of lifestyle and physiological changes that could lead to disease.
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Thermography provides an early alert system for physiological changes that may indicate an increased risk of breast disease. It empowers women with information that can motivate lifestyle adjustments aimed at reducing their cancer risk before a diagnosable condition develops.
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Images are interpreted by Medical Doctors that are additionally Board Certified Thermologists, Physicians from various specialties, who form the team at EMI (Electronic Medical Interpretation), a subsidiary of Meditherm; it is the world's largest and most advanced network of interpreting physicians.
We use a secure "intranet" HIPPA-compliant method of direct, safe transmission with these doctors. The normal turnaround time for reports is less than 72 hours, and a 24 hr turnaround rush option is available for a reasonable additional fee.
The Thermologists interpreting our images are MD’s trained by the American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT). Currently there are more than 30 M.D.’s on staff.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not cover our services as they are based on a natural and preventative approach. We recommend checking your specific insurance policy regarding Thermography.
We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards including Mastercard, Visa, American Express, and Discover. Full payment is expected at the time services are rendered.
Each appointment is reserved for 90 minutes however, the actually length of your session is based on the body type and area(s) recieving imaging. Estimated times are below:
Patient preparation: Main consideration – do not do anything that will stress joints, muscles, cause you to heat up or cause the skin surface to be blocked.
No, you will not need to submerge your hands or any body parts in cool water for a thermography session with ThermApproach. While it's true that some thermographers might still use older methodologies that require such practices, the advanced technology and cameras employed by ThermApproach eliminate this need. Our modern approach ensures a comfortable and non-invasive experience without the requirement of immersing in cool water.
Yes, at ThermApproach, we can use a scan you received from a different thermographer for your baseline analysis, provided it was conducted by a thermographer within the Meditherm network. As ThermApproach is part of this extensive network, our process ensures that when your analysis is sent to our panel of doctors for review, they will already have secure access to your previous scans for reference. This connectivity offers significant benefits for individuals who move locations but wish to continue monitoring their health through thermography. It removes geographical barriers and allows for consistent progress tracking of your thermograms, ensuring a seamless continuation of your health monitoring journey.
Reports are normally ready within 48 hours. We will email your report and images to you in an encrypted email or you may collect your report when it is ready or receive it via mail*.
If you need your report within 24 hours you can pay an ‘urgent’ fee. In an effort to be “green” and supply your report to you in a timely fashion, our preferred delivery method is through email.
In addition, when you receive your report and images through email, you can more easily share them with your doctors and make copies for yourself as needed.
The Thermogram report you receive will contain the scan images along with corresponding risk level ratings and a detailed interpretation of the findings. These reports are exclusively prepared by Medical Doctors who are Board Certified in Thermology and hail from a range of specialties. These professionals are part of the team at EMI (Electronic Medical Interpretation), which is a subsidiary of Meditherm. EMI represents the largest and most sophisticated network of interpreting physicians globally, ensuring that your report is handled with the highest level of expertise.
We will fax or email digital copies of your reports and images directly to you and any other healthcare providers you designate at no extra cost.
The most accurate result we can produce is change over time. Before we can start to evaluate any changes, we need to establish an accurate and stable baseline for you.
This baseline represents your unique thermal fingerprint, which will only be altered by developing pathology. A baseline cannot be established with only one study, as we would have no way of knowing if this is your normal pattern or if it is actually changing at the time of the first exam.
By comparing two studies three months apart, we are able to judge if your breast physiology is stable and suitable to be used as your normal baseline and safe for continued annual screening. The reason a three-month interval is used relates to the period of time it takes for blood vessels to show change.
A period of time less than three months may miss significant change. A period of time much more than three months can miss significant change that may have already taken place. There is no substitute for establishing an accurate baseline. A single study cannot do this.
The recommended frequency for receiving a thermogram can vary based on individual health status, risk factors, and previous thermography results. However, for establishing a reliable baseline, it is initially suggested to have two breast thermograms done three months apart. After the baseline is established, a yearly thermogram is recommended for most individuals to monitor for any physiological changes over time.
For those with a history of breast cancer or high risk factors, more frequent thermography may be advised. The optimal frequency, in such cases, should be determined in consultation with a healthcare professional who can consider the full scope of individual health needs and risk factors.
It's important to remember that thermography is a tool for risk assessment and monitoring, rather than a diagnostic test. It should be used in conjunction with other health screening methods recommended by your healthcare provider to ensure comprehensive breast health monitoring.
If you receive findings from a thermogram that indicate areas of concern or increased physiological activity (such as unusual heat patterns or asymmetrical thermal images), it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional to interpret the results and decide on the next steps. Here’s what you can do:
It's important to use the thermogram report as part of a broader health assessment and follow recommendations from healthcare professionals to ensure appropriate actions and interventions are taken.
ThermApproach provides comprehensive thermography services with our specialized Breast Scans for targeted breast health monitoring, and Full Body Scans that can be customized for whole-body assessment or focused area analysis.
