Non-invasive. Radiation-free. Painless. Detecting breast disease years before mammograms. Infrared technology with life-saving potential.
What is Medical Thermography?
Medical thermography uses infrared imaging to map body heat.
Hippocrates first used the theory that body heat indicates the location of disease. Infrared rays were discovered in 1800 and it was soon after that the science of thermal imaging was born. During the World War II era, the US Military had exclusive rights to infrared science and it was not until 1954 that thermoqraphy was declassified by the US Government. This was done for the purpose of breast cancer research.
In the past few decades the technology of thermography has grown tremendously with the implementation of computer software and advanced equipment.
How Does it Work?
Thermography uses no radiation and no body contact, but instead the camera and software read the infra-red heat radiating from the surface of the body. It notes heat patterns and vascularity patterns. Abnormal heat and vascularity patterns detect a problem in process or starting.
Specific heat and vascularity patterns and their locations can help provide information in the detection of disease. Thermography is known for the earliest detection of breast cancer. In fact, thermal scans may detect the first signs of some cancers forming even up to 8 years before other procedures. It is especially good at detecting the fast growing cancers.
Why? Cancer is all about abnormal cell growth. Cells are fed by blood vessels. Abnormal cell growth actually calls for new blood vessels to be formed. Abnormal cell growth also causes abnormal heat in that location.
Most people understand that with cancer, early detection is key. As with any disease, when caught early, there are so many more options of treatment.
Who Might Benefit from Themography?
The American Cancer Society is estimating that 1 in 8 women in the US today will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. 75% of all breast cancers occur in women with no family history of the disease. 15-20% of all breast cancers occur in women under the age of 45, and in these younger women the cancer is usually more aggressive with a lower survival rate. For this reason the guidelines are that women ages 20-30 get a thermogram every 3 years and those over 30, every year.
Always Ask….
The internet is full of false information about thermography. Some claim it is quackery, others claim it can do what it cannot. Both ends of the spectrum are false. Know your sources.
An organization like the International Academy of Clinical Thermology will have research cited and accurate information. The IACT properly trains and certifies technicians and has a list of qualified providers. In choosing a thermography provider, always ask if the camera used will capture the images in “greyscale”. This is the top technology and will provide the high resolution images where vascularity can best be studied as well as possible estrogen dominance in the breast tissue. Always ask.
Suzy Grace Selin, educator and thermography technician at BodyLife Imaging.
Suzy’s passion is to educate & empower the unaware of natural, preventative, & proactive lifestyle choices.
For more information on medical thermography call 425-440-0404.