Thermography

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Why thermology?

EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES

What we know for sure is earlier detection will save lives, however

traditional medical tests are not always the first in detecting

abnormalities in the breast tissue. Thermography reveals

functional changes as early as 5-8 years before other means of

testing.

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,

nontoxic, highly accurate and is an inexpensive form of diagnostic

imaging used by progressive physicians in the US and Europe for

over 60 years.

How does medical thermology work?

The Short Answer: 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.

The Long Answer: 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 breasts 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.

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.

​ Who should have breast thermology?

The Short Answer: Most women should start annual breast

thermology at 25 years of age and can be self-referred.

The Long Answer: 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) and

often provides the very first objective indication for all forms of

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. Because the thermology

imaging is without any risk of physical harm, women can be self-

referred for routine screening.

​ What can I expect during the imaging

process?

The Short Answer: You will sit or stand before the camera for

two sets of images of your breasts from the front and the both

sides with one-minute emersion of your hands in cool water

between them.

The Long Answer: Please call our office at (231)735-8006 option

6 to schedule an appointment. Once your appointment is made a

patient history form and pre-appointment instructions will be e-

mailed to you. Please carefully read these instructions and fill out

the online medical history form (including the name and mailing

address of your personal physician(s)) before your appointment.

On the day of your appointment the thermology technologist will

accompany you into the climate-controlled imaging room and

review your completed history form. The thermology technologist

will explain the full details of the imaging process and address

your questions. You will be asked to undress from the waist-up

and keep your arms away from your body for approximately 15-20

minutes to allow your body to acclimate to the temperature of the

room.

The thermology technologist will ask you to sit or stand about four

to six feet in front of the infrared camera and turn to your side

while making the first image. Then you will be asked to turn to the

opposite side for the second image and face directly into the

camera for the third image.

You will be asked to place both hands into a basin of cool water

for one minute, quickly dry your hands and repeat the imaging

sequence. Once the thermology technologist confirms the quality

of your images, you may get fully dressed and leave.

Your images will be analyzed by Therma-Scan Reference

Laboratory. All stages of data transmission and storage are

compliant with HIPAA regulations. The methodology for analyzing

the images has five distinct steps of quality control in analyzing

each patient’s study. The analytic technique is derived from the

Marseille System to encompass all four diagnostic elements;

pattern recognition, thermal energy differential, response to a

standardized functional challenge (the cold water stress

challenge) and time-based evolution. The  Marseille System

provides results of breast thermology on the standardized ‘TH’

scale.  Medical practitioners appreciate the practical clinical

concordance of the ‘TH’ scale with X-ray mammography’s BI-

RADS®. BioCare will receive your completed report and mail it to

you and if you wish we will also mail a copy to your primary care

physician.