What is Breast Thermography?

Thermography is a physiological (body) imaging procedure. While x-rays, CT scans, ultrasound and MRI scans are all tests of anatomy that measure structures of your body, thermography is unique in its ability to measure the changes to your metabolic processes.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (Thermography, DTI) has been researched for more than 30 years, and while it should not replace Mammography, it has many valuable functions, namely:

• Heat mapping of the blood supply gives a whole picture of the body
• It is not limited by age or dense breast tissue
• It is a 100% non-contact, no-radiation, painless imaging procedure

Thermography involves a procedure of taking a photographic image of a patient, producing a ‘heat map’ of the infrared patterns of the body. This is based on the principle that blood vessel activity in both pre-cancerous tissue and cancerous tissue is higher than the surrounding area of the normal breast. Since these tissues are highly metabolic, they need a greater supply of nutrients to maintain growth, so increasing circulation to their cells and the surface temperatures of the breast.

Thermography involves a procedure of taking a photographic image of a patient, producing a ‘heat map’ of the infrared patterns of the body. This is based on the principle that blood vessel activity in both pre-cancerous tissue and cancerous tissue is higher than the surrounding area of the normal breast. Since these tissues are highly metabolic, they need a greater supply of nutrients to maintain growth, so increasing circulation to their cells and the surface temperatures of the breast.

Like a fingerprint, each patient has a unique infrared map of their breasts. Any changes on images taken over months to years can indicate early signs of an abnormality. After taking a base thermogram and then having regular updates, the patient’s ‘heat map’ can show the earliest signs of abnormality.

Thermography and Mammography
Mammography does have its uses in treating breast cancer. It is a screening test for lumps, though its use in routine screening programmes on healthy women is questionable and Thermography is a really safe alternative.

Thermography does not show lumps and does not detect cancer cells! It reveals abnormalities in your body made evident by changes in the heat patterns generated by blood flow. It is safe and has a high success rate. Based on your first Thermogram you can see changes in your breasts before any tumour may develop.

After over 50 years of internationally recognised safe and effective use, thermal imaging should be available on the NHS, it would not only save an astonishing amount of money, it would also prevent an even greater amount of suffering. And guess what; relatively recent discussions with the government have been looking at doing just that, and in some places is already. This will save our National Health Service a fortune which will result in greater resources being available to those who need it most.

Physiological activity (normal or abnormal) requires energy and thus generates heat. Thermography uses infrared thermal imaging to detect this heat, and displays the results in different colours. For example; increased blood supply to one breast compared to the other will show the breast with red areas, or an early image compared to a later image reveals red, blue and green differences on the scan.

The success of Thermography depends on comparing differences between screenings over time, so after having your baseline scan (whether or not it shows an abnormality) any observed changes in your physiology compared to your first image, enable you to make simple alterations to your lifestyle, to prevent it developing any further – prevention is always better.

Although breast health (including implants) is a major consideration, many people benefit from early detection of many health conditions, it can even visualise pain.

DTI is like an all overall visual health check which points to where attention needs to be given. It is wonderfully safe and effective.

Our health is our greatest gift and yet we take it for granted. Our amazing bodies strive to maintain good health by performing millions of complex physiological functions every second, like constantly renewing and rebuilding our cells. It does this without any conscious effort from us.

Women need to be given options and told the truth – there is more than one way to prevent and screen for cancer!

I have a personal interest in Breast Screening. My sister died at the age of 38, leaving two young children. All my five female cousins on my father’s side have died, and it is now seen in the next generation. This led me to studying Nutrition with Celia & Brian Wright at the Green Farm Nutrition Centre. There has to be more progress in detecting cancers earlier, and Thermal Imaging is showing remarkable promise and results.

Words: Penny Davenport

Medical infra-red thermography is non-invasive. There is no radiation and no compression, it is 100% safe and painless. It is a very simple experience. Scans are also available for full & part-body. 

Medical Thermal Imaging is suitable for all ages of men, women and children for many pain and health issues. 0% payment plan over 10 months.

The forthcoming date is Tuesday 12th March 2019. Please book in advance.

Thermography is available at the Battle Healthy Living Clinic every 3 months.

Battle Healthy Living Clinic, Old Brewery Yard, High Street, Battle, TN33 0AF
01424 773373

For more information please contact: battlehealthylivingclinic.co.uk