Why Chiropractic? because it works!
Goodson Health and Wellness
Dr. Jenni Goodson, Family Chiropractic Care, Birmingham Alabama
140 Village Street, Suite 201, Birmingham, AL 35242, call (205) 981-8090

Breast Thermography

Birmingham, Alabama Thermal Breast Imaging for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Breasts viewed with thermographyBreast thermography is a state-of-the-art screening procedure to aid in the early detection of breast irregularities. Using the latest thermal imaging techniques, Dr. Jenni Goodson at Goodson Health & Wellness is dedicated to detecting breast cancer as early as possible and, ultimately, the preservation of breasts and the survival of women.

Thermographic imaging may detect breast tumors — which take up to 10 years to develop — earlier than traditional means such as mammography and ultrasound. The sooner a tumor is found, the sooner treatment can begin and the more successful the outcome is likely to be.

Since thermography can detect the very beginning stages of cancer growth, many patients are able to make lifestyle changes years before a devastating condition can occur. Frequent checks enable you to see if these changes have been successful and to seek the appropriate medical care if necessary.

Thermography — An Important Part of a Multi-Modal Approach to Screening for Breast Cancer

Breast thermography should not be considered as an alternative to mammograms (mammography), but as adjunctive examination that should be part of every woman's regular breast health regimen. Women of all ages should use a combination of techniques — including breast self-examination, physical examinations by a physician, thermography, mammography and sometimes ultrasound or MRI examinations — to ensure the earliest detection possible. The inclusion of thermography can often point out the need for more intensive examination to make a complete diagnosis.

Since 23% of all breast cancers occur in women under the age of 49, regular breast health checkups should be undertaken by women of all ages, even those in their 20's. It is well known that early detection is the best defense against breast cancer and that, if treated in the earliest stages, a 95% cure rate is achieved.

Thermography is based on the principle of temperature variation — the slight increase in heat that is almost always generated when chemical and blood vessel activity occurs in pre-cancerous tissue and the areas surrounding a developing breast cancer. Images are captured with ultra-sensitive infra-red cameras and analyzed with sophisticated computers that seek to detect the minute increases in surface temperature and vascular changes that may be occurring within the breast. Breast thermography is comfortable and safe, using neither radiation nor compression.

A series of studies referenced by the Index Medicus (an index of articles from medical scientific journals) found that adding thermography to a woman's regular breast health checkups increased the survival rate by 61%. When used as part of a multi-modal approach (clinical examination, mammography and thermography), 95% of early stage cancers are detected.

References

  1. American Cancer Society – Breast Cancer Guidelines and Statistics, 1999
  2. I. Nyirjesy, M.D. et al; Clinical Evaluation, Mammography and Thermography in the Diagnosis of Breast Carcinoma. Thermology, 1986; 1: 170-173.
  3. M. Gautherie, Ph.D.; Thermobiological Assessment of Benign and Malignant Breast Diseases. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 1983; V 147, No. 8: 861-869.
  4. C. Gros, M.D., M. Gautherie, Ph.D.; Breast Thermography and Cancer Risk Prediction. Cancer, 1980; V 45, No. 1: 51-56.
  5. P. Haehnel, M.D., M. Gautherie, Ph.D. et al; Long-Term Assessment of Breast Cancer Risk by Thermal Imaging. In: Biomedical Thermology, 1980; 279-301.
  6. P. Gamigami, M.D.; Atlas of Mammography: New Early Signs in Breast Cancer. Blackwell Science, 1996.
  7. J. Keyserlingk, M.D.; Time to Reassess the Value of Infrared Breast Imaging? Oncology News Int., 1997; V 6, No. 9.
  8. P.Ahlgren, M.D., E. Yu, M.D., J. Keyserlingk, M.D.; Is it Time to Reassess the Value of Infrared Breast Imaging? Primary Care & Cancer (NCI), 1998; V 18, No. 2.
  9. N. Belliveau, M.D., J. Keyserlingk, M.D. et al ; Infrared Imaging of the Breast: Initial Reappraisal Using High-Resolution Digital Technology in 100 Successive Cases of Stage I and II Breast Cancer. Breast Journal, 1998; V 4, No. 4
  10. International Academy of Clinical Thermography – Internet Reference Source for Patients at www.breastthermography.com