How Effective Is Thermography in Detecting Breast Cancer?
Filed Under Breast Health |
Breast thermography has been researched for over 30 years, and over 800 peer-reviewed breast thermography studies exist in the index-medicus. In this database well over 250,000 women have been included as study participants. Some of these studies have followed patients up to 12 years. Breast thermography has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%.
Studies show that:
· An abnormal infrared image is the single-most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer.
· A persistent abnormal thermogram carries with it a 22 times higher risk of future breast cancer.
· When thermography is added to a woman’s regular breast health checkup, a 61% increase in survival rate has been realized.
· When used as part of a multimodal approach (clinical examination + mammography + thermography), 95% of early-stage cancers will be detected.
Breast thermography is not a stand-alone tool in the screening and diagnosis of breast cancer. It is adjunctive. We can’t ignore the tremendous role of thermography as an early risk indicator or as a monitor of treatment. When a thermogram is positive, a closer look at the patient’s diet, exposure to environmental pollution, toxins and lifestyle is in order. Clinical blood work in addition to ultrasound and mammography is essential. When mammography and blood work are negative or equivocal, thermographic monitoring on a quarterly to semi-annual basis should be performed in those patients with suspicious thermograms.
Changes in tumor angiogenesis can be evaluated and other procedures can be ordered to aid in the earliest possible diagnosis. Thermography is non-ionizing and safe. There is no reason to simply “wait and see” any longer. We must become proactive rather than passive with our health. It is no longer acceptable to “wait and see” just because a mammogram is negative or equivocal. With a more universal approach, thermal imaging can become a valuable early detection tool that is indispensable in patient’s health care.
Since it has been determined that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, we must use every means possible to detect cancers when there is the greatest chance for survival. Proper use of breast self-exams, physician exams, thermography, and mammography together provide the earliest detection system available to date. If treated in the earliest stages, cure rates greater than 95% are possible.
Dr. Alex Mostovoy
