Thermascreen Blog

Infrared imaging, or thermography, is a non-contact, non-invasive test that measures temperatures. Temperature information displayed by the body can assist in monitoring many actions in the body.
If you have a problem with undiagnosed pain — a thermal scan may provide information that will help your physician find the origin.  Pain is often ‘referred’ or set from a place unrelated to where you ‘hurt’.  This is what is meant by referred. Gall bladder inflammation can cause pain in the back next to the shoulder blade.  Lung problems can cause pain in the shoulder.  Kidneys often cause mid-back pain.  Your nervous system is wired to send signals of distress — often prior to an acute attach.  So that ‘back pain’ might just be your gall bladder acting up and that shoulder pain could signal lung disease.  These are not “absolutes” but if your doctor is having trouble determining why you have pain and the x-ray doesn’t show anything, then a thermal scan may help.
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Many women have “fibrocystic” breasts and because they are tender do not want to have mammography.  A thermal scan can help the doctor determine if the breast tenderness is related to hormones. Regulation of your estrogen and progesterone levels can relieve much of this pain and tenderness. A thermal scan will show if the breast tissue has increased circulation — that is related to estrogen levels.  Cysts are cold — and usually the breasts are higher in circulation because of estrogen stimulus with cold spots that are the cysts.  This picture is totally different than that of one suggesting other breast disease or even the possibility of breast cancer.  Women who have breast implants can see if there are any signals relating to suspicious problems — often inflammation from the implant. Those who have had lumpectomies and mastectomies can look for signals that indicate new disease activity — or no disease activity, especially if you’re on medications to ward off the return of breast cancer. Infrared is an easy way to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.
Thermography does not replace mammography or ultrasound or MRI. Infrared measures the metabolic action in the breast tissue.  But thermography used with these structural studies means you will have a more clear picture of your breast health.  Monthly self-breast exam, annual physician exams, thermography annually, and structural tests — when indicated, will keep you aware of any changes in your breasts.  Remember — ignoring our bodies can lead to disastrous results. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and monitor it consistently.  Early detection saves lives.

The news has been busy with information relating to mammograms and MRI.  A colleague shared the following article about contralateral cancers and MRI detection.  Check it out.
Additionally - today on the MSNBC an interesting article about the change in recommendations
for mammography for women younger than 50.

As always - its going to be your choice– but don’t forget you need a baseline at some point
and its very important if you have a higher than normal RISK.

Thermography helps to determine those at RISK for breast cancer. Along with your
physical and family history - your thermogram can provide insight into your
breast health.  A thermogram and a baseline structural study are a combination
to think about if you have concerns.  Thermography is a non-contact, non-invasive way
to monitor breast health. Its ideal for all women — all ages. Especially young women with
dense breast tissue.

If you have questions - let me know.
Keep “thinking thermally”, as my friends at Snell Infrared say.

http://www.acr.org/s_acr/doc.asp?CID=2540&DID;=25984
MRI Doubles the Number of Cancers Detected in the Opposite Breast of
Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Breast cancer in men is on the rise. Although small in comparison to females, it is occurring.? Most cancers (80%+) are the result of lifestyle. Male breast cancer — although genetic predisposition is the norm, lifestyle may add to the RISK.? Over-weight, excess estrogens and other chemical influences can add to the chance of male breast cancer.? Ladies - make sure you have your significant other checked for breast cancer RISK.? If you have a family history — make sure your male members are diligent in their monitoring. They must follow the same precautions and also do monthly breast exams.? Thermography is an excellent test for men — as it is non-contact and non-invasive.? Early metabolic changes might be the first sign for men.? If you or a male friend or family member are at RISK — thermography might be the answer to monitoring the body for early changes.

In my most recent copy of The Journal of Supportive Oncology ? an article by Dr. Neil MacDonald- Professor of Oncology and Director McGill Cancer Nutrition and Rehabilitation Programme, McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada, covers the role inflammation plays in cancer.? ?Chronic inflammation often acts as a tumor promoter, resulting in aggressive cancerous growth and spread.? Many of the same inflammatory factors that promote tumor growth also are responsible for cancer cachexia/anorexia, pain, debilitation, and shortened survival.? A compelling case may be made for mounting an attach on inflammation with other anticancer measures at initial diagnosis, with the consequent probability of improving both patient quality of life and survival.?

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This is a welcomed article, considering that an overwhelming number of physicians maintain and promote quite the opposite position.? A patient who came for a thermal scan to evaluate her physiology, commented that her surgeon was angry when she wanted to ?build her immune system? before committing to surgery for recently diagnosed breast cancer.? This surgeon was adamant that she not wait and building her immune system would not benefit her.? Obviously she felt it would help her in the long run.? But new evidence shows us that we need to evaluate the level of inflammation to determine the best course of action.

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Dr. MacDonald comments that there are two schools of thought concerning immunity.? He refers to this as ?friend or foe?? ?Immune response to invasive tumor growth is highly nuanced; certain immune-defense patterns limit tumor progression, even in advanced disease.? Nevertheless, immunoreactive cells around the tumor (primarily part of the innate immune reaction) more likely are acting in malevolent alliance with malignant cells than exerting a defensive posture.? We are not helped when suppression cures to control the innate response are ineffectual and the system remains in the ?on? position.? Evidence that this is happening includes the following.

Tumor-associated macrophages produce angiogenic factors and tissue proteases that promote development of the tumor blood supply and infiltration.

Stromal factors surrounding a tumor commonly promote an M2 macrophage reaction? ie, one that does not involve an attack on the tumor. Rather, it is associated with a decreased M1 macrophage response, which may interfere with antitumor immunity.?

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Dr. MacDonald goes on to say ?chronic inflammation often acts as a tumor promoter, resulting in aggressive cancerous growth and spread.? Many of the same inflammatory factors promoting tumors also are responsible for the devastating symptoms that bedevil patients and their families, reducing quality of life and limiting independent function.?

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Seeing this article improved my level of confidence when promoting thermal imaging.? Although many physicians are still ?playing old tapes? when it comes to knowledge of thermal imaging ? ?old technology ? nonspecific etc., etc.? they are not thinking of what the potential thermal patterns can provide them.?

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No disease is diagnosed with thermography.? Similarly ? no disease is truly diagnosed with an x-ray.? There is often suspicion of the ?presence? of disease, but biopsy is needed to confirm.?? Sadly when physicians only rely on structural imaging ? there can be consequences.? A practitioner I met recently told me about a patient ? who following treatment exhibited no thermal signal.? The MRI, however, was detecting ?something?.? They elected to proceed with removal of the breast based on the MRI.? When the breast tissue was x-rayed following removal (a common procedure) there was no cancer present. It becomes a difficult situation.? If physiology says there is no action ? do you wait and follow or do you proceed with a ?safe? alternative?? This woman will now statistically become one of those ?cured?.? But actually ? had benefited from the therapy ? and surgery at that point was excessive action.? Some would argue for ?better safe than sorry? and claim that in time the cancer would return. Sad that they second guess their own therapy.

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Infrared imaging can easily detect the presence of inflammation.? It then becomes the job of the practitioner to determine the location and level of response.? But if we totally ignore the inflammatory markers that thermal detection displays ? are we not missing more than half the story?? Significant heat signals are not only an indication of action ? they also play a role in prognosis.? If markers are not ?cooled? following the various therapies ? the chance of recurrent or still present disease is significant.? If thermal scans demonstrate a significant heat asymmetry (greater than 3 degrees ?and often 6 degrees or more) then the signal is telling us this is aggressive.? It should be considered in the type and action of therapy.? Similarly if thermal signals ?turn down or off? then one should be encouraged that the appropriate action has been taken.?

I often hear the comment - “I’ve been trying to locate a thermography center because I no longer want to have mammograms.” This is a common misconception regarding a thermographic or infrared exam. Thermography does not replace mammography. Why? Thermography, or Infrared Imaging, is a test that provides information related to the blood flow in the breast tissue. Only some centers — mostly research at this point — are able to measure where in the breast the abnormal signal is located. Most thermal tests provide information related to the degree of abnormality present, if any. This can be determined by temperature measurements. It does not tell the difference between the heat from infection or the heat from potential cancer. The amount of heat - or cold- measured determines the severity, or level of RISK present during the time of the thermal test. Only structural tests can locate the actual tumor, if it exists. Thermal signals demonstrate the chemical or metabolic presence of abnormality. Mammography, ultrasound, MRI, or scintigraphy (which are all structural exams) will locate abnormal tissue. Thermography is the complement to these tests. It is the less expensive and non-invasive option for easy monitoring. If you would like additional information or to schedule testing email thermograms@comcast.net.We have pamphlets that cover this information, and much more regarding breast health