| Thermography
| What
is Thermography?
Thermography is a non-contact technique for early detection
of breast cancer without the hazard of carcinogenic radiation.
(1) The infrared camera takes thermal images (pictures) that
can detect subtle changes in breast physiology up to 10 years
before a cancerous tumor can be detected by other sources such
as mammography or skilled palpation. This is the most reliable
form of early detection though not often used by the medical
field, it is becoming more readily available.
Thermography has a 9% for both |
 |
|
false positive and false negative readings. (2) Thermography
is painless and offers a view of the entire chest and underarm
area.
The infrared images show subtle temperature changes in the
breast tissue. Blood supply or vascularity shows up hyperthermic
(hot) and looks white in color. Hypothermic (cold) shows up
dark in color. Normal breast tissue shows up in varying shades
in-between.
|
 |
TH-2
Benign Thermography Report: This
Infrared Image shows symmetric vascular-like features as “hot”
appearing like lightening bolts. There is the same amount of
these features bi-laterally (both sides), which is normal. Also
these features responded normally to the autonomic challenge,
which means
that when she put her |
| hands
on ice these features
contracted down (get colder) as they should. There is no risk
of malignancy with this reading so it is considered benign. |
 |
TH-3
Atypical Thermography Report:
This Infrared Image shows an asymmetric vascular-like feature
in the right breast, which appears on the left side of the picture
(a mirror image). This hyperthermic feature (hot) did respond
normally to the autonomic challenge putting this thermography
reading at a |
|
<10%
risk of confirming malignancy.
If it didn’t respond
normally or if it increased in emission levels
post challenge then it would be a 20% risk of confirming malignancy.
|
 |
TH-5F
Abnormal Thermography Report:
This Infrared Image shows vascular-like hyperthermic feature
in the lateral (outside portion) of the right breast (point
1). This feature is abnormally complex and is >1.4ºC
above the base emission levels (temperature) of the contra-lateral
breast |
| (point
2), which is considered and anarch sign (indicating pathology).
This reading is at a 96% risk of confirming malignancy. When
we add ‘F’ to the TH-5F it indicates that we are
also seeing “cold” or hypothermic features in the
caudal (lower portion) of the breasts indicating benign fiber-adenoma
cysts. |
 |
This
Infrared Image demonstrates diffuse hyperthermic features through
out the entire upper body. These features show up like the spots
on a leopard. This indicates hyper-metabolic lymphatic system
typical of common viral infections, toxic exposure, seasonal
or food allergies. The twenty-one day detoxification program
offered at Optimum Health Clinic is instrumental in ridding
the body of these toxins and supporting immune function. |
 |
THERMAL
IMAGE SHOWING YELLOW BANDING:
This
image would be rated TH2. The semetric (in both breasts) hyperthermic
features indicates a metabolic imbalance. This type of vascularity
is seen in pregmant women and considered normal but when found
in a menopausal woman it indicates an abundance of estrogen
or an imbalance in the estrogen to progesterone ratio. This
is also known as estrogen dominance |
|
and could lead to unhealthy breasts, if not addressed. Further
testing of homones would be suggested with natural supplementation
as needed as a preventative measure. |
Other
uses for Thermography:
Thermography can be used to detect dental infections, thyroid dysfunction,
and cerebral infarction (stroke). Thermal imaging is a non-invasive
view of the internal carotid arteries, which reveals varying stages
of atherosclerosis, thus enabling early detection and possible prevention.
COMMONLY
ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THERMOGRAPHY
Why
doesn't the AMA promote the use of thermography?
There are thousands of radiologists and only a few experts
in the field of thermography. A lot of money had been invested in
the use of mammography. This could explain why information has been
withheld regarding mammography's poor rate of accuracy and the harmful
effects of radiation exposure. In addition, the Health Insurance
Board has accepted thermography with its own CPT billing code 93762,
yet many Health Insurance Companies reluctantly reimburse for this
choice in screening. These tactics have, until recently, kept many
of us from looking at thermography as a safe and effective alternative.
What is the procedure like? The patient must first cool off from
the waist up in a room approximately 68 degrees for up to 15 minutes
so the warmer veins stand out from surrounding tissue. The Technician
takes a series of 3 images, left, right, and frontal view, with
an infrared camera (heat detecting). A second set of images is taken
for comparison after the person holds her hands in ice water for
one minute (autonomic challenge). Cancer is highly vascularized
(having a significant blood supply) and because these neo-angeogenesis
blood vessels are filled with nitrous oxide (a vassal dilator),
they can't constrict with the autonomic challenge, so it is easily
distinguished in comparison to normal tissue, which contracts considerably
with the autonomic challenge. Thermography is safe, comfortable
and a far more accurate screening tool.
Can
Thermography be used on augmented breasts or with a mastectomy?
Yes. Since there is no pressure applied, there is no harm
to the implants. Thermal imaging is a painless, non-invasive way
to evaluate the lymphatic system, especially for those with a mastectomy.
How
can you tell if a thermographer is qualified?
They
should be board certified and follow the standards of practice established
by the American Academy of Thermology or a comparable organization.
1.
Patient should be unclothed on the torsal for 5 to10 minutes in
a cool room of about 68 degrees.
2. Patient has at least three pictures (left right and frontal view)
taken before and again after ...
3.The patient's hands are placed in ice water for one minute.
4. Patient is provided a report where there is a description of
the features in the images as well as how they responded to the
autonomic challenge.
Call
for your appointment today!
Optimum
Health Clinic
712 D Street, Suite L, San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 460-9722
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