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Breast Thermography
Breast Thermography (Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging ‘DITI’) is a 15 minute non invasive test of the physiology. It is a valuable procedure for alerting your doctor to changes that can indicate early stage breast disease. The benefit of thermography is that it offers the opportunity of earlier detection of breast disease than has been possible through breast self examination, doctor examination or mammogram alone. Thermography detects the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is cancer, fibrous disease, an infection or a vascular disease. Your doctor can then plan accordingly and lay out a careful program to further diagnose and /or MONITOR you during and after any treatment. How is thermography performed?
Who can benefit from thermography? All women can benefit from breast screening with thermography. However, it is especially appropriate for younger women (30 - 50) whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to be effective. Also for women of all ages who, for many reasons, are unable to undergo routine mammography. This test can provide a 'clinical marker' to the doctor or mammographer that a specific area of the breast needs particularly close examination. There are no contraindications and it can be used for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have implants. Is it safe for a pregnant or nursing woman to have a breast thermogram? Yes, breast thermography is a safe procedure for any woman. However, during these periods the breasts are more highly vascularized (have more blood vessels) which can make baseline screening more difficult. When pregnant or breastfeeding, thermography is best used for screening of a specific complaints such as a lump, discomfort or infection. Ideally, baseline routine screening should be done 3 months after a woman has stopped breastfeeding. What can breast thermography detect? Thermography detects the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is cancer, fibrous disease, an infection or a vascular disease. Your doctor can then plan accordingly and lay out a careful program to further diagnose and /or MONITOR you until other standard testing is positive. This allows for the earliest possible treatment. It takes years for a tumor to grow, and the earliest possible indication of abnormality is needed to allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention. Regular screening can provide an early alert for possible referral to mammography, sonography, or MRI to improve early detection by your doctor. What is the difference between a thermogram and mammogram? Breast thermography plays a role in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology (including breast cancer) and is considered a screening device. Mammograms are used to precisely locate an abnormal area and are considered a diagnostic tool. Breast thermography does not replace mammography. They are considered complementary to each other. What are the early breast cancer detection guidelines? One day there may be a single method for the early detection of breast cancer. Until then, using a combination of methods will increase your chances of detecting cancer in an early stage. These methods include :
Can thermography detect breast cancer? It takes years for a tumor to grow thus the earliest possible indication of abnormality is needed to allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention. Thermography's role in monitoring breast health is to help in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology. Breast cancers tend to grow significantly faster in younger women under 50:
Doctors do not yet know how to prevent breast cancer. However you can increase your chances of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages by understanding the need for, and participating in an early detection program. Only about 20 percent of biopsied breast lumps are cancerous. And, if cancer is found early, there are choices for treatment. With prompt treatment, the outlook is good. In fact, most women treated for early breast cancer will be free from breast cancer for the rest of their lives. Thermograms are offered at Dr. Feder's office. For more information and to make an appointment call (323) 651-4454. |
Book of the Month February 2008
Holistic Moms Network 
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