ADVERTISING: Advertorial — Medical thermography for breast health

We all know someone that has had breast cancer. The statistics tell us that about 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. While that is a scary thought, advances in screenings can help with early detection.

Thermography is a radiation-free, infrared image that can show changes in the physiology of the breast. Often a disease process either emits heat or decreases circulation. In the case of cancer, tumors need a blood supply to grow. New blood vessels will form in a process called angiogenesis. Thermography detects the increased temperature involved in this change in blood supply and metabolism. Any changes in the scan should be followed up and investigated further.

Thermography has been FDA approved since 1982 as an adjunctive breast cancer screening. This is important because while mammogram looks at anatomy, thermography looks at physiology. When you can see both anatomy and physiology, you have a much broader clinical picture. Thermography is not meant to replace traditional tests, but it is a safer, more comfortable way to screen more frequently.

Thermography is a great tool for younger women. Diagnosis of breast cancer can be more difficult as younger women often have denser breast tissue and traditional screenings are not usually recommended until age forty. Unfortunately, there are over 20,000 cases of breast cancer per year in the US in women under 40. Thermography is a safe method to fill the gap before traditional breast screening methods are needed.

Women with very dense breast, fibrocystic breasts, and small breasts have difficulty with mammography. Thermography is very important for these women to get an accurate screening.

Thermography is safe at any stage of life. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding also need to get breast screenings. Because there is no radiation or compression involved in thermography, it is safe for this population. There is a breast cancer diagnosis in 1 in 3000 pregnancies.

Early detection means more lives will be saved. The earlier you are aware of a problem or potential problem, the more options you will have to correct it. It allows you to make lifestyle adjustments and see that they are working in follow-up screenings.

Hayden Health and Wellness now offers Medical Thermography. We are proud members of Breast Thermography International (BTIscan.com) and PACT. For more information, contact us at info@haydenhealth.com or call 208-635-5658.

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Contact Dr. Wendy Cunningham at drwendy@haydenhealth.com.