Charlotte Stress management

What is Thermography?

Thermography is a completely safe, radiation-free monitoring of breast health. No compression of the breast is involved.
Infrared digital images detect changes in heat patterns that are associated with breast disease including cancer.

While mammography and ultrasound are intended to find the location of a tumor (anatomy), thermography sees asymmetric blood vessel circulation in the breast (physiology).

By analyzing changes in heat patterns and blood flow, infrared imaging may find signs suggesting a pre-cancerous state of the breast or the presence of a tumor, in some cases before it is large enough to be detected by physical examination or mammography

Is it effective?

Thermography is a very effective early detection system.
Testing is sensitive in patients with dense breast tissue (for example young women or women on hormone replacement). These are women in whom mammography is often less sensitive.
Studies suggest that an abnormal infrared image is an important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer.
Studies show that 95% of early breast cancers can be detected when thermography is included with mammography and clinical breast exams.

Who should consider Breast Thermography?

Women who want to be pro-active in their health
Women who have had inconclusive mammograms
Women with dense or fibrocystic breasts
Women on hormone replacement therapy
Women with breast implants
Young women who want a baseline from which to measure future breast health
Safe for pregnant or nursing moms

What to expect:

Each person has his or her own thermal “fingerprint” so an initial scan is done to get a baseline reading.

You will be asked to undress from the waist up. A camera will take your picture. There is no radiation or breast compression. In fact, there is no touching at all. The pictures are read by a board certified radiologist who specializes in thermographic studies.

A second scan is done 3 months later looking for changes.

Scans should be repeated yearly to monitor breast health.

If inflammation is seen, referral for further evaluation, including mammogram, is indicated.

Changes in nutrition, lifestyle habits, hormonal balance and stress levels may help to improve breast health and prevent development of breast disease.

Thermography may be used to identify and monitor other health problems such as:

Inflammatory conditions (arthritis, bursitis)

Thyroid disease

Musculoskeletal disorders (fibromyalgia, chronic pain)

Sinus disease

Gum disease

Blood vessel disease

Infrared imaging has been cleared by the FDA and is supported by over 800 peer-reviewed studies.