Adelpha What is Thermography Page

What is Thermography?

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Infrared Thermography has redefined early detection for Breast Cancer by providing the

earliest and most sensitive means of screening. This simple procedure of taking digital

computerized pictures with a specialized Thermography camera is safe, non toxic, highly

accurate and an inexpensive form of diagnostic imaging used by progressive physicians

in the US and Europe since 1952.

Women are seeking more options when it comes to early breast cancer detection. The power of the internet has brought this controversial subject to the forefront, especially with the latest findings:

Conclusion: New England Journal of Medicine, November 22, 2012:

Effect of Three Decades of Screening Mammography on Breast-Cancer Incidence

Archie Bleyer, M.D., and H. Gilbert Welch, M.D., M.P.H.

Despite substantial increases in the number of cases of early-stage breast cancer detected, screening mammography has only marginally reduced the rate at which women present with advanced cancer. Although it is not certain which women have been affected, the imbalance suggests that there is substantial overdiagnosis, accounting for nearly a third of all newly diagnosed breast cancers, and that screening is having, at best, only a small effect on the rate of death from breast cancer.

Thermology your choice for earliest breast cancer screening, compliments self-breast exam and other appropriate follow-up tests recommended by your physician such as mammography, MRI and ultrasound. There is much information in the media recently regarding screening healthy woman with radiation. It is important to understand the difference between a functional test (physiology) such as thermology and a structural test such as x-ray mammography or ultrasound.

"Everything was easy and fast!

"Linda was great and answered all my questions.

I can't believe how painless it was, so happy to have this as an option!" SE

What is Thermography?

Medical thermology is the science that derives diagnostic indications from highly detailed and sensitive infrared images of the human body. Medical thermology is sometimes referred to as digital infrared imaging, medical infrared imaging, infrared mammography or tele-thermology and involves the use high thermal and spatial resolution infrared (thermographic) cameras. Medical thermology is a patho-physiologic discipline that is completely non-contact and involves no form of energy imparted onto or into the body. Medical thermology has established applications in breast oncology, cardiology/vascular medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, neurology, occupational medicine, orthopedics, pain management and veterinary medicine.

Infrared Thermography is evidenced-based medicine supported by more than 800 peer-reviewed studies encompassing more than 300,000 participants. Specializing in Breast, Carotid & Thyroid Thermography, we have partnered with Therma-Scan™ Reference Laboratory as they are the world’s premier source of science-based diagnostic evaluation of medical thermology.

Function vs. Structure

Medical thermology can reveal the abnormal metabolic and blood-flow features that cause changes in the temperature of the skin that are characteristic of certain types of diseases including breast cancer. Skin temperature is a result of blood-flow and metabolic activity near the surface of the body. Medical thermology provides a means of evaluating skin temperatures for specific abnormalities in patterns, levels and behaviors that are characteristic of certain disorders and diseases. Medical thermology is completely different from all other forms of diagnostic imaging as it evaluates features of body function (physiology) rather than structure (X-ray, ultrasound or MRI).

The glandular and ductal networks of the breasts are specialized variations of sweat glands and are actually organs of the skin rather than internal organs. The blood-flow and metabolic activity of the female breast are highly influenced by estrogens and progesterone hormones and the phases of the menstrual cycle as well as pregnancy and lactation. These influences will manifest changes in the breasts' thermal features.

Hot Spots

Typically, medical thermology indicates breast cancer by a detailed evaluation of the levels, patterns and behavior of “Hot Spots” on the skin that result from abnormal blood-flow and metabolic conditions characteristic of cancer. The “Hot Spots”of breast cancer occur as a result of the uncontrolled and excessive flow of the body's core-temperature blood to a relatively superficial area. This excessive blood-flow occurs simultaneously with the first cellular changes of cancer and precedes the development of a physically-discernible tumor. This explains the ability of medical thermology to provide the earliest objective indication of breast cancer, often years prior to structural-based diagnostic imaging, such as X-ray mammography and ultrasound.

Medical thermology can not offer any reliable means to evaluate conditions involving the core (deep internal organs such as the heart, lungs, liver or kidneys) of the body as there is no means of directly affecting the skin's blood-flow.

Partially reproduced with permission: Therma-Scan Reference Laboratory

How Early do I Get My First Thermogram?

Every expert agrees earlier detection of breast cancer enables earlier treatment with better results that saves lives. Breast thermology is completely safe (non X-ray), often provides the very first objective indication for all of forms breast cancer and has a very high diagnostic sensitivity for women of all ages. Breast cancer is the largest cause of death for women aged 29-45 and, generally, breast cancer takes many years from its inception to the death of its victims. Therefore, most women would benefit by including breast thermology into their annual healthcare by the age of 25. When symptoms are present begin today! Remember there is no radiation and the procedure is non-invasive at any age. Because the thermology imaging is without any risk of physical harm, women can be self-referred for routine screening. However, our interpretive laboratory requires every woman to share the breast thermology report with their professional healthcare provider that is capable of ordering the other indicated diagnostic procedures to complement her study. Breast thermology can also be useful to monitor changes to the specific metabolic and blood vessel features of breast cancer during and after many forms of treatment. However, this monitoring must be done in close coordination with the treatment program as directed by a personal physician.