Breast Thermography
Increasingly, younger women are being diagnosed with breast cancer, which, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to untimely death. Women are realizing that more attention needs to be paid to breast health before a problem arises, by keeping track of changes in the breasts. Currently, mammography, ultrasound and breast self-exam are the primary tools of detection. Breast thermography is a safe method of monitoring breast tissue function without using compression, radiation or contact.
Breast thermography is a way for women of all ages and breast tissue types to be proactive and protect themselves against late diagnosis. Breast thermography shows the function, physiology and metabolism of breast tissue, thereby giving a picture of the cellular activity in the breast. A thermography scan shows the heat difference between normal breast tissue (control) and problem areas which are hotter because cancer cells produce more blood vessels to feed their rapid growth.
A thermography scan consists of a series of digital infrared imaging scans of the breasts taken before, during and after a cold challenge. The cold challenge consists of putting your hands in cold water for 1 minute. This allows healthy blood vessels to constrict to the cold temperature, while abnormal cells remain warmer and do not constrict, representing 'hot spots'.
Thermography breast scans are then read and analyzed by the American Board of Thermology. A report will be sent to you and your Naturopathic Doctor approximately one month after the scan. Normal, healthy breast tissue shows no 'hot spots', whereas suspicious or abnormal cell activity shows greater heat areas in the breast tissue and a follow up with ultrasound may be recommended.
The NMHC hosts Breast Thermography screening sessions on a yearly basis. As the service provider for Medical Thermography is based in Toronto, Ontario, i n order to book their services, a minimum amount of women must have signed up and prepaid. If you are interested please email us at info@drlynn.ca and we will notify you of the next scanning date.
