What is Thermography?

Thermography is a non-invasive, non-contact method of screening that measures heat emissions from the body to assist in finding a host of different health conditions. Using a thermal imaging camera, the heat from the body is processed and recorded into an image map via specialised software, which measures the temperature variation of the asymmetrical heat image to an accuracy of 0.1 deg C. This is then analysed by a certified thermographic physician who will create a report which can then be used by your medical practitioner for further evaluation.

We are all born with a unique heat image – similar to a thumb print, which should be symmetrical and should not change. However, your thermal image can alter to reveal an illness or disease, with the inflammation appearing as a ‘hot spot’.

The ability to detect medical conditions early on is a tremendous advantage that is gained through these technological advances in the medical field. Assessing patients has become easier and less intrusive by way of medical infrared thermal imaging – which means no harmful radiation, no touching or compression of the breasts.

Thermography has been FDA approved as an adjunct to mammography, which means we’re meant to work together. Neither test replaces the other, as mammography is a structural test and thermography is a physiological study. However, in saying that, a thermogram may alert us to changes before a mammogram does – as a lump does not need to be present in order for a thermal image to pick it up.

When mentioned that this modality picks up on “early” changes, we mean really early changes. The main difference between a mammogram and a thermogram is that a mammogram sees changes in the structures of the breast, it’s known as an anatomical study. Thermography sees changes in the tissue itself and is known as a physiological study. So, with mammography, you have to wait for a lump or mass to physically be present for the mammogram to see a change, whereas thermography doesn’t need to wait for a lump to form before it can pick those changes up. The earliest the mammogram can see the lump is when it is about a lentil or pea size, which takes around 6 years for it to reach that size. What that means is that you could have annual mammograms for 5 years and only in the 6th year may any issues be picked up on. The life cycle of a tumour is around 10 to 12 years, which means when the mammogram gets to see it, you’re already halfway through the cycle.

This is then where thermography comes into play, as it can detect those changes before it even becomes cancer. Where we then offer assistance in changing lifestyle and eating habits to try and naturally heal your body to reduce your risk of cancer. We then continue to monitor you and your changes from 3-6 months, or if all seems healthy; we see you annually.

If we find changes that seem to indicate unusual breast activity, we will then ask for you to receive further evaluation, which would be an ultrasound or, if really necessary, a mammogram.

It is recommended that ladies choose thermography as their first choice for routine breast health screening, as it is safe for all ages, and is able to easily work with dense and lumpy breasts. Mammography acknowledges that they cannot work with dense or lumpy breasts, as the technology picks up on all lumps present, whether they are cysts, fibroids, benign or not, and is only recommended for women over the age of 50.

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