Thermograms More User-Friendly than Mammograms

The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) statistics on breast cancer are shocking. Every three minutes in the United States alone, another woman is diagnosed with this dreaded disease, which annually claims the lives of more than 40,000 women.

With its incidence on the rise and prevention now considered more valuable than cure, women are beginning to educate themselves on the option of including a thermogram in their annual check-up. This little-known tool for risk assessment measures thermal emissions emanating from the body, a key indicator of health. Available here since the 1960s, it was approved in 1982 as an adjunct to mammography.

Also referred to as digital infrared thermal imaging, thermography has long been used for surveillance and night vision by the military. Since its early clinical use in the field of medicine, dramatic technological advances have occurred in the underlying science, which now employs highly sensitive, state-of-the-art infrared cameras and sophisticated computers. The American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) is now responsible for training technicians and physicians, providing accreditation for practitioners, and promoting scientific research. Peter Leando, Ph.D., an ACCT training officer, conducts ongoing sessions at Duke University.

"Thermography," explains Leando, "offers an indication of inflammation, vascular change, lymph activity and abnormal physiology changes." Cancer stimulates the production of new blood vessels that don’t have the ability to contract, and brings about the production of nitric oxide, which causes vascular dilation, increased blood supply and heat. The infrared camera images this abnormal blood supply, which forms to feed cancerous tumors. To those skilled in interpreting such images, these vessels look different and indicate abnormal development.

Dr. Tammy Born, D.O., owner and operator of Born Preventive Health Care Clinic in Grand Rapids, who has a family history of breast cancer, finds thermography a natural fit for her clinic. "Many of the women who visit our clinic are afraid of x-rays or have experienced physical pain as a result of mammograms," says Born.

Since thermography was reported by the National Cancer Institute to be the method of choice for detecting the earliest changes associated with cancer, Born, herself in her 40’s, finds thermography particularly suitable for women in there 40’s. "Because it is difficult for anyone but an expert to find a lump until it has grown to about 1 inch in diameter, I have my examination and thermogram every six months," says Born.

Detecting the disease early offers women a 97% survival with few complications and real options in treatment. "Thermography will detect a ‘hot’ area before it becomes a detectable tumor," notes Born. "When this ‘hot’ area appears on a women’s thermographic image, 3 months of intensive nutritional changes and supplements clears the ‘hot spot’ 75% of the time."

She points out that thermography has detected lesions that went undetected by mammograms and is particularly effective for women with very dense breasts as the accuracy and effectiveness of mammography would be limited, but admits that thermography is not perfect either. "Thermography is always used in conjunction with a thorough physical examination," notes Born.

Dr. Moshe Dekel has been performing thermography imaging and interpretation for his patients for five years. He notes that the majority of his clients choose the technique because they don’t want to undergo the compression and radiation of mammography.

Dekel explains, "Breast cancer is a systemic cancer that happens in the breast because the immune system is overwhelmed. Since a thermogram is basically a physiology study, I include preventative protocols for breast cancer during the interpretive process. Then I show them what these practices can do for their health in general."

He shares his enlightened philosophy on health with every patient. "You are in charge of your health and your family’s health," he affirms. "This means that you must educate yourself on the various modalities that will keep you healthy, so that you can make the best choices based on data, rather than on fear."

It appears that women who add thermography to their annual self-care checklist will get the gentle ounce of prevention that’s worth far more than a pound of cure.

Contact Dr. Tammy Born at Born Preventive Health Care Clinic 3700 52nd St SE in Grand Rapids or call 616-656-3700. Visit BornClinic.com.

Contact Dr. Moshe Dekel at 166 Elaine Dr. in Oceanside, New York, or call 516-817-1770. Visit DrDekel.com.

For more information on thermography, visit the American College of Clinical Thermology at ThermologyOnline.org.