A TOOL FOR EARLY BREAST CANCER SCREENING

A TOOL FOR EARLY BREAST CANCER SCREENING
BY: BRENDA WITT
who isn't familiar with the expression, "early
detection is the best prevention?" we hear this
TERM THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND MOST EVERYONE IS
familiar with this "catch phrase" as it relates
to breast cancer. obviously, a woman's chance
FOR SURVIVAL IMPROVES WHEN A CANCER IS FOUND
early. we hear that simple rhyming statement but
are women really offered early detection?

our "gold standard" for breast cancer screening
is mammography, clinical breast exam and
SELF-BREAST EXAM. OTHER TECHNIQUES ARE USED BUT
all current technologies examine structure;
something is formed and large enough to be seen
OR FELT. HOWEVER, IT IS WELL-DOCUMENTED THAT A
mass that is detected by mammography has been
growing for 8-10 years before it was detected.
IS THIS EARLY DETECTION?

there exists a technology that can detect an
ISSUE YEARS BEFORE A TUMOR CAN BE SEEN ON X-RAY
or palpated during an exam and truly offers
early detection. 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
SEARCHING FOR EARLY BREAST CANCER DETECTION,
digital infrared thermal imaging (diti) may be
of interest.

historically, diti fell out of favor shortly
after its initial debut in the early 80s. when
DITI WAS FIRST INTRODUCED, STRICT PROTOCOLS AND
trained technicians did not exist. shortly after
its initial beginnings, diti fell out of favor
AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL IN THE MEDICAL COMMUNITY.

there are now 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 THERMOLOGISTS. THERMOGRAPHY
is not limited by breast density and is ideal
for women who have had cosmetic or
RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY, WOMEN WHO REFUSE
mammography, or women who want clinical
correlation for an already existing issue.
THERMOGRAPHY, BECAUSE IT ANALYZES A DEVELOPING
process, may identify a problem several years
before mammography. as we all know, early
DETECTION IS IMPORTANT TO SURVIVAL.

diti has an average sensitivity and specificity
OF 90%. AN ABNORMAL THERMOGRAM CARRIES A 10X
greater risk for cancer. a persistent abnormal
thermogram carries a 22x greater risk for
CANCER. THERMOGRAPHY, AS WELL AS 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.