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Thermal
Breast Imaging
at Pacific Naturopathic
Safe,
Painless,
Non-Invasive
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 mammography.
The earliest stages of breast cancer are accompanied by changes
in blood supply and altered breast temperature. These changes
can often be seen on a thermal image, 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 the surrounding
blood supply creating reliable signs that can clearly be seen
on a thermal image. Your doctor is looking for the first signs
of an existing or potential problem. Early recognition of a
problem allows for early treatment of the problem.
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
How often should women get breast thermography?
Early thermal imaging photos establish a baseline from which
to monitor breast health. Comparative studies allow for
early detection of changes. Thermography is recommended on
an annual
basis, for women 30 and over, but may be recommended at
3 to 6 month intervals when there are suspicious thermograms
or other diagnostic readings; when evaluating the effects
of hormone replacement or the efficacy of a treatment;
or
when there is any other cause for concern.
What does my thermography report tell me?
Your thermography report evaluates your risk for breast cancer.
According to level of risk, you may be advised to follow a
home program to reduce risk; to consult a specialist for an
intensive, personalized risk reduction and prevention program;
or to undergo further diagnostics.
What can I learn from thermography?
Thermograms take the temperature of the breasts. Temperature
differentials may be normal for you, or may reveal underlying
physiologic changes. These changes may reflect infection, inflammation,
neurology, hormonal imbalance, or cancer or pre-cancerous conditions.
Thermograms can track changes as physiology returns to normal.
Are there any limitations or disadvantages
to breast thermography?
Breast thermography does not replace mammography. It may not
detect slow growing cancers where vascular levels remain largely
unchanged. When breast exams, thermography, and mammography
are used as complementary diagnostic techniques, the accuracy
rates in detecting breast cancer increase dramatically.
What happens during a breast thermography exam?
The whole exam takes place behind the privacy of a screen.
You will not be directly seen nor touched by the clinician.
The only discomfort from the exam may be chilliness, as the
room has 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.
Digital infrared thermal imaging has been 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 by the American Academy
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
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