October 2010 Newsletter

A significant amount of confusion, and even hostility, has been generated by the US Preventative Services Task Force's recent announcement regarding their new recommendations to reduce the use of Mammography to screen for Breast Cancer. As a conscientious healthcare provider who focuses on disease PREVENTION, I want every woman to know that while Mammography is an invaluable tool for identifying an existing tumor in the breast, a different tool does exist that not only can identify when there is a tumor present, but Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) can also detect the early cellular changes that PRECEED the growth of a tumor, providing the earliest-possible identification of Breast Cancer Risk! The benefits of and differences between Mammography and DITI are significant and worth learning about...

Like X-ray, MRI and Sonography, Mammography is a study that looks at the anatomical structure and changes of the breast. A Mammogram can detect the presence, size and location of a tumor, providing patients with an opportunity for treatment in many circumstances. There is no doubt that the use of Mammography, coupled with the development and improvement of more Breast Cancer Treatment options, has afforded many women the realization of recovery and even remission. Mammograms can begin to see a tumor when it reaches 1 billion cells, a size that can sit on the head of a pin! Typically, breast cancer will take between 7 and 10 years to reach this size, during which time a tumor could have already metastasized. In patients with dense breast tissue, the sensitivity (ability to detect or identify a tumor) of a Mammogram is decreased. Now, many medical experts believe that the damage caused to the breast tissue during the compression process of a Mammogram combined with the exposure to its ionizing radiation increases the risk of breast cancer in healthy breasts and could cause already-malignant cells to spread.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is a physiological study that looks at how your body is functioning and can see very subtle changes. During a DITI Breast Screening, a special camera takes approximately 75,000 different temperature readings of the breasts and can detect temperature differences as small as 2/100ths of a degree centigrade. These temperature differences, as well as the patterns that they create in any single image, are extremely helpful in detecting neovascularities (creation of new blood vessels that are necessary when cancer cells need to satisfy their demand for nutrients in order to to continue to grow). When Breast Screenings using DITI are conducted early enough, such physiological changes can be seen 7-10 years before a tumor can be identified on a Mammogram. This earliest-possible identification provides valuable time to begin easy and effective interventions that can prevent further cancer cell growth and encourage the natural death of the existing cancer cells. The sensitivity of DITI is unchanged in patients with dense breast tissue. Also of notable significance is that during the Thermal Imaging process there is no contact with or compression of the breasts and your body is not exposed to radiation, both important factors to consider when patients have dense breast tissue, breast implants or when achieving optimal breast health and preventing breast cancer are the patient's goals.

Especially in light of the Task Force's new Mammography recommendations, now more than ever it is vital for women to be aware of their healthcare options. Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is a no-touch, no-risk, FDA-approved tool for routine breast health screenings that can provide a real opportunity for Breast Cancer Prevention AND can identify when further clinical evaluation or testing would be beneficial. Why not schedule your appointment today?