-
What are the advantages for women when they
chose thermal imaging for their breast screening?
-
How is a breast thermography different from
a mammography or ultrasound?
-
Is thermal imaging covered by insurance?
-
Is there any special preparations necessary
before having a thermal scan?
-
Do I get results right away?
-
I hear from some people that you need to
"cold stress" the patient. What is "cold stressing? Do I
really need to do it?
-
How do I discuss my choice of breast
thermal imaging with my doctor?
1.) What are the advantages for women when they chose
thermal imaging for their breast screening?
-
Earlier
detection, providing better outcomes from treatment and
improving survival rates.
-
Safer and
risk free. No harmful radiation exposure and does not
contribute to the risk of breast cancer
-
No painful
compression. Does not contribute to the spread of a
malignancy nor does it add to the cellular damage.
-
Appropriate
for women of all ages, particularly women under 50 who
have dense breasts.
-
Women with
implants do not have to worry about possible rupture as
with mammography.
-
Women who
have had a mastectomy, can monitor the chest wall.
-
Can be done
more frequently if needed, without any risk.
^
Back to Top
2) How
is a breast thermography different from a mammography or
ultrasound?
Both
mammography and ultrasound are tests that show the
structural representation of the breast. Because they
show structure, they are dependent on the tumor growing
large enough before it can be seen. The average age of
the tumor found on mammography is 8-10 years old and
about the size of a pea. This is late detection.
Thermography
is a physiological representation of the breast and it
identifies the unique vascular patterns in the breast.
These vascular patterns are like a fingerprint and are
with us throughout our life times. When tumors reach 2
yrs of age, about the size of a head of pin, new
vascular structure occurs to feed the tumor. This
activity will alter your existing patterns and show up
as an asymmetry. By far a much earlier indicator of
breast health.
^ Back to Top
3) Is
thermal imaging covered by insurance?
Currently,
the coverage by insurance is limited to PPO type
policies. Medicare in not currently reimbursing for the
cost of a thermal scan.
^ Back to Top
4) Is
there any special preparations necessary before having a
thermal scan?
Yes, Each
client is instructed the following, to avoid getting a
sunburn, no lotions creams or oils applied to the body
the day of the scanning. No exercise, Physical therapy,
saunas, massage within 2 hours of the exam. In other
words, no activity that would increase one’s metabolic
rate or change one’s skin temperature. For those who
smoke, a 2 hour time frame without smoking is required,
as smoking is a vasoconstrictor and will negatively
effect the results.
^ Back to Top
5) Do I
get results right away?
The images
taken during the scanning procedure can be immediately
viewed. Those images are sent to the electronic
interpretation service or EMI and a certified
Thermologist/MD reviews the images by taking temperature
readings and compiles a written report that is sent to
the client.
^ Back to Top
6) I
hear from some people that you need to "cold stress" the
patient. What is "cold stressing? Do I really need to do it?
Cold
stressing is a test to measure sympathetic function. It
is a useful test for a number of conditions including
RSD (CRPS). Protocols used with the Meditherm system for
breast screening do not require routine cold stressing
but it may be requested by a referring physician or
reading thermologist.
^ Back to Top
7) How
do I discuss my choice of breast thermal imaging with my
doctor?
Pointing out
to your doctor what is important to you in making your
choice of thermography for your breast screening is what
matters in the moment. Whether it is the painful
compression or the fear of being exposed to radiation,
you have the right to chose what ever you are
comfortable with.
Many doctors
will react to your decisions in a variety of ways. Of
course the desired reaction is one where he/she honors
your choice. This response is rarely the case. Doctors
may become angry and object to your choice, which stems
from their need to feel that they are in control and
this is fueled by the concern of liability. Many doctors
to not have in-depth knowledge about thermography and
its advanced technology. This puts them in an awkward
position. At this point, their comfort level is
challenged and they stick to what they know , the “gold
standard” of mammography.
^ Back to Top
