Why should a woman choose to have regular breast thermograms?

True prevention of breast cancer can only take place BEFORE the disease has occurred.  Thermography has the potential to detect metabolic footprints of breast cancer 5 to 10 years before the cancerous cells become a tumor large enough to be detected by mammography. Thermography brings new hope to true prevention by shifting emphasis of cancer treatment from anatomic to the physiologic; from groups of individuals to unique individuals; from simple cause and effect to a dynamic, integrated, proactive systems-based approach.  This approach can work to remove triggers and promoters of breast cancer while improving the full health of the whole person.

How does a thermogram of the breast identify breast tissue at risk for developing cancer?

The body acts as a near-perfect radiator, which means each side of the body will release the same amount of heat in symmetric patterns, unless there is a specific reason not to. More heat released indicates either increased metabolic activity or blood flow in an area. This can be a result of inflammation, trauma, fibrocystic breast disease, or a very early warning sign of potential cancerous tumors. In addition, the character and pattern of blood vessels can give clues to the health and hormonal balance of the surrounding tissue. While urine, blood, and saliva tests are useful to determine the overall level of hormones in the body, they do not take into account the fact that breast tissue produces its own estrogens which dramatically affect breast health. When detected thermographically, these patterns may be addressed proactively.

What will happen during the procedure?

Breast thermography is completely safe, non-invasive and painless. There is no exposure to radiation, and no breast compression. You will be given specific preparatory guidelines to follow during the 72 hours prior to your appointment, mostly regarding sun or tanning bed exposure and use of underarm deodorants/shaving. The in-office procedure itself will take approximately 40 minutes.  The procedure takes place in our dedicated thermography suite, in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Once my thermogram has been reviewed and interpreted, what happens next?

Thermography is just one tool for determining your total health picture, and just as each person is unique, so are their treatment plans.  At the MaxWell Clinic for Proactive Medicine, we combine both traditional evaluation and the latest diagnostic tools, and then work with patients to develop a plan to restore and protect their health.  Proactive medicine strives to identify and treat the underlying causes of illness long-term, rather than merely suppress symptoms in the short term.  Restoration plans strive to promote inner vitality by supporting an individual’s inherited and acquired resistance to disease, and by decreasing environmental stress, interference and toxicity.   Plans may include education, natural and standard medication, nutritional support, stress reduction, exercise and manual medicine.  The focus is on using what is wise and that works for that individual patient without being constrained to only one “kind” of therapy.  These plans are a cornerstone of the care in our functional medicine clinic's approach to increasing a patient's wellness.

We urge you to call the MaxWell Clinic for Proactive Medicine at 931-648-9595 to make an appointment for your breast thermogram. We look forward to working with you on your personal plan for maximizing wellness.