THERMOGRAPHY

 

What is Thermography?

Thermography is essentially a photograph of the heat produced by the body.   The body is constantly emitting heat as infrared radiation from its surface.  A thermographic camera takes a picture of these rays.  Areas of the body that are more metabolically active and have more blood flow will produce more infrared rays and will be visible on the thermogram.  Once pictures are taken they are then analyzed by a board certified thermologist. 

The most common use of thermography is for breast health screening.  Thermography is a wonderful tool for assessing physiological changes associated with fibrocystic breast disease, mastitis, mammary dysplasia and even cancer (or cancer risk).  Cancer tissue is more metabolically active can be seen in its early stages – up to 10 years before a tumor is visible on a mammogram.  As such, thermography is an excellent tool for assessing overall breast health.  We use state-of-the-art Digital Infrared breast imaging and comprehensive treatment protocols to help women of all ages maintain healthy breasts for long and healthy lives.

Dr Franks is one of the few board certified clinical thermographic technicians (CTT) in the Northwest.  Our high quality radiometric camera, strict quality control guidelines and highly accurate interpretation service are the best around.  Take advantage of this wonderful resource!

HISTORY

                1982 FDA approved: Thermography was approved as an adjunctive diagnostic breast cancer screening procedure.

                1950’s to present: Thermography for the purpose of breast cancer screening has undergone extensive research since the late 1950’s with more than 1000 peer-reviewed studies published in the medical literature.

What are the benefits of Thermography?

                    Breast health screening: Thermography is a wonderful tool for identifying breast conditions in women of all sizes, as well as young women, women with implants and conditions such as fibrocystic breast disease and mastitis two easily reversed conditions.

                    Prevention of breast cancer: Breast Cancer is the second-leading cause of death among women.   Thermography can detect first signs that breast cancer may be forming - up to 10 years earlier than a mammogram or any other procedure.  Earlier detection means there is time for prevention.  Implementing comprehensive treatment can result in reversal of these changes and prevention of breast cancer.

                    No radiation or other risk to your health:  Thermography is entirely safe since the camera is only receiving information from your body and does not itself emit anything.

                    No compression of the breast tissue:  Thermography does not involve the painful compression of breast tissue that may increase chances of cancer spread.

                    Reverse Fibrocystic Breast Disease: Few doctor’s are aware that a simple and inexpensive treatment can reverse fibrocystic breast disease.  Simple solution of iodine swabbed into the entire vagina followed by magnesium IV has given relief to hundreds of women in as little as 30 minutes.  Iodine also increases levels of more protective estrogens decreasing your risk for breast cancer.

                    Monitor your progress:  See the results of your treatment without the use invasive and harmful radiation.

Mammography vs Thermography

A mammogram uses radiation to detect the internal anatomical structure of the breast.  It is still considered the ‘Gold Standard’ for early detection of breast cancer.   Thermography detects the infrared emitted from the body surface to measure the physiological changes occurring within the breasts.  Thermography has the advantage of detecting physiological changes which may be associated with future cancer growth up to ten years earlier than what can be detected with a mammogram.  This is a huge advantage.

Mammography has led to earlier detection of breast cancer leading to a 30-40% reduction in mortality rates from breast cancer.  However, there is concern that low doses of irradiation can cause breast cancer.  Trauma from tissue compression can cause spread of cancer cells and the majority of breast cancers are found in the upper outer quandrant of the breast – as area that often does not get scanned by mammography.

When thermography and mammography are used together the detection of breast cancer increases by 10%.  Ideally we would use thermography to monitor physiological changes in women’s breasts allowing for preventative treatment and resort to mammography to confirm significant findings and guide diagnosis of significant disease.

How is breast cancer diagnosed?

Thermography and mammography help direct us to where breast tissue appears to be abnormal.  However, neither thermography or mammography can be used to diagnose breast cancer, they are screening tools used to detect tissue changes associated with breast cancer.  Breast cancer can only be diagnosed by biopsy of breast tissue.  Suspect tissue is captured by a needle, and is then visualized under a microscope to look for cellular changes consistent with cancer.  If significant abnormalities are seen on thermogram we will then refer you for a mammogram and/or biopsy.