At Midwest Thermography, breast thermograms are recommended annually for women, especially if any of the following risk factors apply:
- Obesity & Belly Fat
- Use of Hormone Replacement Therapy
- History of Birth Control Use
- Hormone Imbalance
- Fibrocystic or Dense Breast Tissue
- Family History of Hormone Related Cancers
- Personal History of Hormone Related Cancer
- Eating Commercially or Conventionally Grown Foods
- Exposure To Xenoestrogens in Environmental Chemicals/Products
Thermal breast imaging is a breast health risk assessment tool that is used in addition to standard breast screening and/or diagnostic examinations. It is not a stand-alone examination and cannot diagnose or rule out the presence of breast cancer regardless of the risk rating assigned. When interpreting these images, we look for unusual patterns of blood vessels and warming that can suggest inflammation or unusual vascular activity. Inflammation and unusual vascular activity may suggest risk for the presence of breast cancer or risk for developing cancer in the future. Since the causes of the examination findings cannot be determined by the images alone, additional examinations are always required before a final diagnosis can be made. All examinations are performed using a high-resolution computerized thermal imaging camera in a controlled environment after following strict pre-examination protocols to insure the accuracy of the findings. Thermal imaging does not replace any other breast examination.
Notable temperature patterns that are listed on the thermal imaging reports represent areas of inflammation and vascular activity contributing to the risk rating along with findings to be monitored on future examinations. When temperature differences between breasts exceed the normal range, a finding is considered to be more significant than one within normal limits. Thermal (TH) risk rating for each breast is a unique TH rating that describes the level of inflammation and blood vessel activity in the breasts which can contribute to both current and future risk. The higher the rating, the greater the risk. The hormonal grade for estrogen activity describes the level of estrogen activity occurring in the breasts. This activity can be associated with breast pain, breast lumps and/or increased risk.
Your thermal imaging report may recommend prompt follow up with your doctor for further evaluation of the breast tissue. It may also recommend follow up with your doctor, specifically with regards to any breast or axillary symptoms, concerns, or exam findings you may currently be experiencing. All concerns including but not limited to lumps, skin changes, clinical findings and radiographic findings require medical evaluation regardless of the thermal imaging results. Breast thermogram reports will include a return for follow up recommendations to determine if there are any changes to your level of risk. Since thermal imaging is designed to be used in combination with other examinations rather than a stand-alone detection technology, please follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding additional breast examinations.
Sample Breast Thermogram Report