Breast thermography:
A breast risk assessment
What is breast thermography?
Breast thermography is defined by the American Academy of Thermology internationally peer reviewed guidelines as: “Breast infrared imaging (thermography) is a physiologic study that can assess changes in breast tissue by providing accurate and reproducible high-resolution images of skin temperature. This image can be analyzed both qualitatively for thermovascular mapping and quantitatively for minute changes in skin heat emission. As with many physiologic studies, anatomic findings may not correlate exactly and may not even be detected by other noninvasive technologies.”
Image Source: Dr. William Amalu DC, DABCT
Breast thermography is defined by the American Academy of Thermology internationally peer reviewed guidelines as: “Breast infrared imaging (thermography) is a physiologic study that can assess changes in breast tissue by providing accurate and reproducible high-resolution images of skin temperature. This image can be analyzed both qualitatively for thermovascular mapping and quantitatively for minute changes in skin heat emission. As with many physiologic studies, anatomic findings may not correlate exactly and may not even be detected by other noninvasive technologies.”
Image Source: Dr. William Amalu DC, DABCT
Does a thermogram replace a mammogram?
Thermography and Mammograms are two different kinds of tests. Not one test replaces the other. A thermogram assess vascular changes in the breast which is the initial physiological change seen in developing cancers.
A mammogram looks at the structural changes in the breast because they detect masses or lumps in the breast tissue.
Breast Thermography should not be used as a patient’s primary diagnostic screening device. When thermography is used as part of a comprehensive multi-faceted approach, it can lead to early detection of 95% of early stage cancers. Therefore, adding these tests together increases the chance for early detection.
Does insurance cover a thermogram?
Check with your insurance company to be sure. Take 2 Healthcare is out of network with all insurance companies and full payment is due at time of service. Medicare does not cover thermography.
Benefits of thermography
- Approved by the FDA since 1982: code of federal regulations Title 21 sec: 884.2980
- Safe: NO compression, NO radiation
- Unaffected by breast density: mammograms can miss over 50% of cancers in women with dense breasts
- Monitoring change in baseline physiology
- Adjunctive monitoring for women with DCIS
- Adjunctive monitoring for women with Fibrocystic disease
- Safe for women with implants
- Safe for post breast reconstruction
- Safe for pregnant and lactating women
- Safe for women of all ages
What is the procedure like?
The patient is required to have filled out breast history forms prior to appointment. The patient is also instructed on procedures to follow before the appointment. Click here for patient intake forms and the list of procedures that must be followed.
The patient is disrobed from the waist up and wears a gown in a room that is cooled to 20-21°C (68-70°F). The patient acclimates to this room temperature for 10 minutes with the gown on. Then the patient is asked to remove the gown and raise their arms above their head for the next 5 minutes. After the 15 minutes of acclimation is complete, a certified thermography technician will take 5-7 images of the breasts. The patient’s arms remain elevated during the imaging session. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes.
The first study will provide a baseline against future determinations. Follow up examinations can be compared to the baseline study.
Click here for information on the infrared camera and technology used at Take 2 Healthcare.
When will I get my results?
Results are interpreted and provided to the patient within 2 weeks. The patient will receive a report and go over the results with their doctor here at Take 2 Healthcare. Any results can be forwarded to the patient’s physician of choice by filling out this release of records form. The images are offered to the patient as well.
The report and laboratory procedures report follow peer reviewed, internationally accepted American Academy of Thermology (AAT) Breast Guidelines. Click here for more information on the AAT.