| Breast thermography is a new, non-invasive imaging | | | | weight on the breast, which can be uncomfortable and |
| procedure that utilizes infrared heat-sensing technology | | | | sometimes painful, can be several pounds to over |
| to detect metabolic changes in the breast. | | | | forty pounds. In addition, radiation collects in the breast |
| Abnormalities can be detected long before a tumor is | | | | tissue during mammograms; the more radiation the |
| present. Because researchers are acknowledging the | | | | breast is exposed to, the higher the risk of cancer. |
| importance of prevention and early detection as the | | | | Unlike mammograms, thermography does not require |
| keys to long term breast health, breast thermography | | | | compression of the breasts nor does the infrared |
| is fast becoming an important diagnostic test to add to | | | | scanning process involve radiation or contact with the |
| health care regimens. | | | | body. |
| To perform breast thermography, a special camera | | | | Mammograms can only detect tumors that have |
| equipped with heat-sensing, or infrared, technology | | | | already developed. In comparison, breast |
| takes pictures of the breasts and the images are sent | | | | thermography provides images of physiological |
| to a computer. Multiple images are taken from several | | | | changes in the breasts that could cause future tumor |
| different angles in order to provide a three-dimensional | | | | growth. One such abnormal thermal pattern, estrogen |
| result. These images are digitally processed by | | | | dominance, can be a precursor to breast cancer. If |
| sophisticated equipment to create a detailed thermal | | | | estrogen dominance is found, hormonal levels can be |
| map. | | | | balanced using natural means; thereby, preventing |
| Because each individual has a unique 'thermal | | | | cancer. Breast thermography can also detect small |
| fingerprint,' the images help your doctor to establish the | | | | growths - those too small to be visible on |
| normal thermal state of your breasts. That way, if a | | | | mammogram or ultrasound - because these tiny |
| change occurs, a diagnosis can be determined quickly. | | | | masses radiate heat. |
| The images reveal to the doctor whether the two | | | | Breast thermography provides important, relevant, and |
| breasts have the same temperature patterns and | | | | necessary information about your health without |
| whether any areas differ from one breast to the other. | | | | exposure to radiation. This diagnostic test, which |
| Abnormalities on the infrared images, including changes | | | | compliments clinical examination and mammography, |
| in temperature, blood flow, hormone levels, or | | | | should be added to your health care regimen. |
| metabolic activity, may indicate current or potential | | | | Prevention and early detection are the keys to long |
| tumor growth. The necessary diagnostic steps are | | | | term breast and whole body health. By providing |
| then taken to determine the nature of the | | | | essential information early, breast thermography can |
| abnormalities. | | | | save your life. |
| During a mammogram, the estimated compression | | | | |