What is Thermal Breast Imaging?
Breast thermal imaging is literally a heat map of the breasts; “thermal” = heat, “graphy” = map. The images are captured using an high resolution infrared camera. Have you ever seen a movie in which people wore heat-sensing goggles to hunt people or animals? This is the same technology only with much better equipment!
The first historical mention of the thermal process comes from Hippocrates, in 400 BC. He had a theory that disease created inflammation in the body, and as an experiment, he smeared wet mud on a patient’s bare body, and watched to see which part of the body dried the quickest. His theory was correct!
Modern thermography was developed in 1956, when Dr. Ray Lawson discovered that the surface of a breast with cancer was warmer than the healthy breast. After several decades of random and unstandardized use of breast thermography, it was finally FDA approved as an adjuctive screening in 1982.
Today, the most effective way to use thermal imaging is in conjunction with other breast screenings. Most of our clients choose 2 or 3 screening methods, since each one is looking at a different layer of information.
None of the current screening methods can actually diagnose breast cancer, only highlight an area of concern. Only a biopsy of the tissue can determine pathology. For this reason, utilizing several screening methods can assist women in making an educated and intelligent choice when considering any further action.
Please remember the role that stress plays in breast health and disease. Now, more than ever, we encourage you to process any anger, resentment and grief as you experience it! These emotions are directly tied to breast cancer, and a traumatic event such as this can be devastating on the immune system unless steps are taken to get the stress emotions moving out of the body.
Also, daily self care activities are especially important now, and will be for the coming months. Anything you can do to soothe yourself, bring a smile to your face, or bring joy to your heart will be incredibly helpful. So, if this means that you spend 10 minutes a day on these self-care activities instead of 60, please do so! (Nature, arts and crafts, naps, reading, cooking, gardening, hot baths, etc).