At ThermApproach, we are glad you asked. Many people may not be aware of what thermal imaging really is, so we want to take time to explain ‘thermal imaging’.
In the United States alone, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. That number is shocking. However, it is estimated that early detection can increase the survival rate to 95%. Therefore, prioritizing a thermography screening is a smart way to signal changes happening in your breast health.
Let’s take a look at what thermography is and why this type of screening should be one of your choices for monitoring breast health.
What is thermography?
Thermography is a health screening procedure that uses a medical grade infrared camera with highly accurate heat sensors to detect differentials in temperatures in the body. By detecting these temperature changes, thermography can pinpoint abnormalities that are indicator of inflammation and disease throughout the body including breast disease.
How does it work?
Monitoring your breast health is noticing changes over time, including very small changes in your breast physiology. Two baseline breast scans are conducted to establish a clear picture of your breast physiology, 90 days apart, and if unchanged and stable, thereafter, annual scans are recommended to closely monitor your breast health. The thermogram is radiation-free and pain free, it is exactly like having your picture taken from 5 feet away.
Benefits of Thermography
1) Accuracy: Thermography can pinpoint the smallest of abnormalities in your breast tissue making it an excellent early detection tool. Before you can feel it, thermography can see it.
2) Reliability across age groups and breast types: Thermography provides accurate results for women under 50, unlike mammography. A Swedish study published in the Lancet “revealed that the benefits of mammography were limited to women between the ages of 55 and 69” and that “no statistically significant benefits were seen outside the age range of 55 to 69 years.” Dense breasts, large or small breasts and implants pose no problem for thermography.
3) Safe: Thermography does not emit radiation, is 100% safe.
4) Non-invasive: Thermography does not involve compression or physical contact, and it is both comfortable and painless.
5) Can be used on men: 1 in 1000 U.S. men will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. By integrating breast screening into the men’s full-body physical scan, men can stay on top of their entire health.
6) Quick and affordable: Thermography appointments take between 30 minutes and 60 minutes.
Other Screening methods
Mammograms are the most common breast examination procedure, used to screen for changes in breast tissue. However, they pose serious risks.
1) Potentially cancer causing: Mammograms expose you to doses of radiation, increasing your chance of developing cancer.
2) Limiting and painful: Mammograms provide less accurate results for women with dense breast tissue and cannot be used to detect other breast diseases. The breast compression force can be painful.
3) Reliability under question: Research from a Canadian study showed that “mammography misses 10-15 percent of early breast cancers.” On the other hand, a Swedish study revealed that false positives in women under age 50 was a staggering 86%, resulting in costly over treatment (unnecessary surgeries and follow up testing).
Other breast screening methods include ultrasounds which are good for confirming diagnoses but not detecting breast disease at an early stage, and clinical breast exams which are good for identifying lumps but only when they are big enough to be felt.
Thermography is a comprehensive early detection tool with amazing accuracy and minimal risk. By complementing it with standard screening tools, such as your monthly self-breast exam and your clinical exam by a licensed medical practitioner, you can increase your chance of detecting abnormalities earlier.
At ThermAppoach, we utilize sophisticated infrared technology and innovative computer software to capture the images in the form of an infrared thermogram, or heat picture. All reports are interpreted by Medical Doctors that are Board Certified in Thermology.
Before you can feel it, thermal imaging can see it. Please call our office to schedule your Women’s Breast Health Scan today and take control of your breast health.
