Women need to empower themselves about the
benefits and risks of mammography and examine the additional screening
tools available today. One current philosophy suggests breast health
screening should begin at age 25. Where does this recommendation come
from and why is this valid?
For MOST women, the recommendation for annual
breast cancer screening begins at the age of 40. Unfortunately, the
American Cancer Society stated that the number one cause of death in
women between the ages of 40-44 is breast cancer. So what does this
mean for women? It means that we screen at age 40 and potentially find
tumors that have been growing for an estimated 8-10 years. Mammography,
like most conventional tests, evaluates structure.
There exists a technology that can detect an issue
YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam.
This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening
tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN.
For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want
clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal
imaging may be of interest.
There are very strict protocols both for testing
and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as
with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and
capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and
display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique
to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these
characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective
screening tool. Tumors or other breast diseases measures warmer than
surrounding tissue and can thereby alert a physician to a problem
before a tumor is actually palpable.
Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are
board certified and endure an additional two years of training to
qualify as a thermologist. Thermography is not limited by breast
density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive
surgery. It is recommended that since cancer typically has a 15 year
life span from onset to death, women begin thermographic screenings at
age 25. As previously mentioned, the number one killer of women ages
40-44 is breast cancer. Therefore, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer
at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early as age 30. Since most women
do not have a mammogram until age 40, there is a critical time period
from age 25 to 39 that thermography could be especially beneficial.
Thermography, because it analyzes function, may identify a problem
years earlier. DITI may allow women time and opportunity to support
their immune system, change their lifestyle and give their body the
best chance to alter their fate.
By combining both technologies, the detection rate
increases to 95-98%, surpassing either technology as a stand-alone
therapy. Thermography, like mammography, is a personal choice for
women. This decision ideally should be made in collaboration between
you and your physician. However, thermography does not require a
physician’s order.
Thermographic screening is not covered by most
insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For
more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.
About The Author
Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health
Solutions in Southern California. She has worked in the medical field
for 9 years and is now an American College of Clinical Thermology
(ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area. To contact
Brenda, email her at brenda@proactivehealthonline.com. | 