The Institute for Restorative Health is committed to serving women of all ages in preventing breast cancer. We use state of the art Digital Infrared Imaging to identify the earliest signs of breast tissue changes so we can design a personal breast health plan that supports a lifetime of breast health.
What Can I do?
You can first find out how healthy your breast tissue is through safe and accurate Infrared Breast Imaging. You can then make a simple and positive decision to make changes in your life that support a lifetime of healthy breasts.
Can we prevent Breast Cancer?
Women of all ages can identify potential risks for breast cancer and make life style changes long before those risks turn to cancer. When we identify potential risks for breast cancer we can support you in a personal breast health plan.
What is Safe Breast Cancer Screening?
As a detection tool, mammography has a very valued place in clinical practice; however Thermography (Infrared Breast Imaging) has proven to be a safer and more effective tool in detecting unhealthy physiological changes in breast tissue long before a tumor can be detected with mammography. It is an adjunctive tool with mammography.
Infrared Breast Imaging, commonly referred to as breast thermography, is a radiation-free, safe, accurate, non-invasive test that can often detect changes that accompany breast disease earlier than breast self-examination, doctor examination or mammography.
The earliest stages of breast cancer are accompanied by changes in blood supply and altered breast temperature. These changes can often be seen on an Infrared image, before a visible tumor develops.
Our Thermal Imaging System scans the breasts using an extremely sensitive Infrared Imaging Camera that requires no radiation or breast compression. Board certified doctors using sophisticated technology to determine if the breasts appear to be at risk for disease evaluate the resulting images.
What are the doctors looking for in a breast thermography scan?
Breast disease alters the breast temperature and the surrounding blood supply creating reliable signs that can clearly be seen on a thermal image. Your doctor is looking for the first signs of an existing or potential problem. Early recognition of a problem allows for an early plan of action.
What is the main difference between breast thermography and mammography?
Mammograms use radiation to distinguish dense anatomical structures consistent with tumor growth. Thermograms look at physiological changes that accompany breast disease. Thermograms don't see tumors. They detect vascular activity and temperature.
How often should women get breast thermography?
Early thermal imaging photos establish a baseline from which to monitor breast health. Comparative studies allow for early detection of changes. Thermography is recommended on an annual basis, for women 25 years and over, but may be recommended at 3 to 6 month intervals when there are suspicious thermograms or other diagnostic readings; when evaluating the efficacy of a treatment; or when there is any other cause for concern.
What does my thermography report tell me?
Your thermography report evaluates your risk for breast cancer. According to level of risk, you may be advised to follow a personal program to reduce these risks, or consult a specialist for further evaluation.
What can I learn from thermography?
Thermograms take the temperature of the breasts. Temperature differentials may be normal for you, or may reveal underlying physiologic changes. These changes may reflect infection, inflammation, neurology, hormonal imbalance, cancer or pre-cancerous conditions. Thermograms also track positive changes as physiology returns to normal with the use of a risk reduction plan.
Are there any limitations or disadvantages to breast thermography?
Breast thermography does not replace mammography. It may not detect slow growing cancers where vascular levels remain largely unchanged. When breast exams, thermography, and mammography are used as complementary diagnostic techniques, the accuracy rates in detecting breast cancer increase dramatically.
What happens during a breast thermography exam?
The whole exam takes place behind the privacy of a screen. The clinician will not directly touch you. The only discomfort from the exam may be chilliness, as the room has to be kept at a specific cool temperature for the pictures to be accurate. The clinician will instruct you to disrobe from the waist up. You will be asked to sit with your hands on your hip (hands not touching your breasts) for about 15 minutes, while your upper body cools. You breast images will then be quickly taken while you stand with your hands on your head and turning in different directions as instructed.
You will be notified of your results within 10 days and we will assist you in creating a breast health plan that will support you in lowering your risk for breast cancer.