Thermography creates a map of your body. Via the use of an infrared camera, information is obtained relating to vascular activity, inflammation, lymphatic activity, hormonal dysfunction and other “functional” abnormalities within the body. Annual thermograms are used as a screening tool to identify changes that occur over time while still in the stages of early development and before there is more advanced pathology that can be detected with other tests. Most physicians now agree that inflammation is a precursor to many diseases such as cancer, arthritis, heart disease and diabetes. By detecting early changes that precede malignant pathology, or other life threatening diseases, we have an opportunity to intervene and change the outcome. The earlier an abnormality is detected, the better the treatment options will be.
Thermography as a tool for Breast Cancer Prevention is growing rapidly. It can detect irregular patterns in the breast, conditions that occur before a noticeable lump is formed. In inflammatory cancer, there are no lumps to be detected, but the inflammation can be seen by Thermography. Thermograms look at vascular changes in the breast, as they detect blood flow patterns, inflammation and asymmetries. Traditional mammograms only look at anatomical changes in the breast, as they detect masses or lumps in the breast tissue. Thermography is FDA approved and endorsed by the United Breast Cancer Foundation as an adjunctive breast health screening procedure. Thermal imaging is NON-invasive, is NOT painful, makes NO contact with your body and there is NO radiation. Women that are pre-mammogram age with a family history of breast disease or women with implants now have a screening tool that works for them. Most of these women would not otherwise be tested.
Prevention may include treatment of inflammation, fibrocystic disease, lymphatic congestion, and estrogen dominance. Changes detected may justify additional testing such as physical exam, ultrasound, blood work or hormone testing. Some doctors have had success reversing early abnormalities by simply balancing the estrogen metabolism and getting iodine/iodide levels normalized.
Thermography is the only method available to “Visualize” your pain and pathology. It is a useful adjunctive procedure to other diagnostic tools, such as x-ray, CT scans, ultrasound and MRI scans, and can be used to fill the gap in clinical diagnosis. While these are all tests of “anatomy” that measure structures of your body, thermography is unique in its ability to measure your physiological changes and metabolic processes.
Medical Thermography of Metro St. Louis uses the Meditherm MED2000 camera system. Meditherm is well established as the marked leader in clinical thermography – with the largest network of thermography systems installed in the world. Your scans are analyzed by Board Certified physicians who are specialists in thermography. Meditherm sponsors major research programs at Duke University. Meditherm clinics are scattered worldwide. If you relocate, simply find the Meditherm clinic nearest your new home and you will continue to have the benefit of comparison over time from your original scans. Most insurance companies do not currently include thermography in their screening options; however screening is surprisingly affordable.
For more information please contact Medical Thermography of Metro St. Louis. Maplewood and Belleville locations. 314-566-0350, 618-806-5220 or visit online at www.medicalthermography-stl.com.
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