Breast Health
Medical DITI specific to breast health is commonly referred to as Breast Thermography. Thermography is a painless, non invasive, state of the art clinical test without any exposure to radiation and is used as part of an early detection program which gives women of all ages the opportunity to increase their chances of detecting breast disease at an early stage.
Thermography's role in breast cancer and other breast disorders is to help in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology and the establishment of risk factors for the development or existence of cancer. This 15 minute non invasive test is a valuable procedure for alerting your medical practitioner to the possibility of underlying breast disease. When used with other integrated procedures, it helps to provide a comprehensive evaluation of an individuals breast health.
Thermography is aimed at improving the chances for detecting fast-growing, active tumors in the intervals between mammographic screenings or when mammography is not indicated by screening guidelines for women of identified age groups. All patients thermograms (breast images) are kept on record and form a baseline for all future routine evaluations and trending analysis.
Click to Download - Early Detection Saves Lives - Reference Document
When Should Women Begin Screening using Thermography?
Women at any age can begin utilizing thermography as a safe means of screening for breast disease. Thermography is not dependent on the density of a women's breast nor do implants or surgical procedures effect the process of detecting your thermal pattern. Thermography is especially appropriate for younger women between 30 & 50 whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to pick up suspicious lesions. This test can provide a 'clinical marker' to the doctor or mammographer that a specific area of the breast needs particular close examination.
Breast cancers tend to grow significatnly faster in younger women under 50:
| Age | Average Tumour Doubling Time |
|---|---|
| Under 50 | 80 days |
| Age 50 - 70 | 157 days |
| Over Age 70 | 188 days |
Source: Cancer 71:3547-3551,1993
The faster a malignant tumor grows, the more Infrared radiation it generates. For younger women in particular, results from DITI screening can lead to earlier detection and, ultimately, longer life.
Normal Image
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.
Also, don't overlook that MEN account for 1% of all Breast Cancers
We encourage you to visit Integrated Health ClinicTM to meet with our physicians and learn more about Breast Thermography.