Till now, I’d only ever encountered ads and information on breast thermography for breast cancer screening in those hippy-dippy newspapers you pick up for free at the health food store. I was interested, therefore, to read a new report from a major academic medical center affirming the efficacy of breast thermography as an early screening tool for cancer detection.
THERMOGRAPHY PICKS UP 97% OF CANCERS
A study published in the October 2008 issue of the American Journal of Surgery by researchers at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell reported a high percentage of success with biopsy plus digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), the most advanced form of breast thermography, as a follow-up to suspicious mammogram or ultrasound results. Sixty biopsies proved malignant and 34 were benign. The investigators found that DITI correctly identified 58 of the 60 malignancies (97%), and that digital infrared thermal imaging can be a valuable adjunct to mammography or ultrasound in the early detection of breast cancer and that it also has merit for use in the clinical monitoring of breast cancer response to therapy.
HOW DOES THERMOGRAPHY WORK?
Also known as infrared imaging, this screening test detects changes in body heat that may indicate the presence of cancer in an early stage. The technology, used in many forms for a variety of purposes (including airport security), has been used for diagnostic purposes since the 1960s, and was FDA-approved in 1982 as an adjunct for breast cancer diagnosis. In this case, its application is based on the theory that metabolic activity and vascular circulation in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue is higher than in normal breast tissue, generating heat. Thermography looks for this increase in temperature, highlighting areas with increased blood flow and new blood vessel growth, both possible signs of tumor development.
Daily Health News contributing editor Andrew Rubman, ND, told me that DITI is especially helpful in young women with dense breasts (which tend to have slightly diminished blood flow) and/or those considered at high risk for cancer. He said that women with fibrocystic or large breasts, as well as those who have breast implants, may also benefit from this technology. A key advantage of breast thermography is that no radiation is involved and it’s also non-invasive.
NUTS & BOLTS
It’s a toss-up whether thermographic screening is more or less pleasant than conventional mammography. It’s not exactly comfortable (unless you love cold temperatures) but it doesn’t involve squishing your breasts between cold metal plates. Here are the nuts and bolts of what you need to know…
Before your test: Important precautions — don’t schedule your test during menstruation and avoid prolonged sun exposure for five days prior to testing. Also stay away from caffeine, anti-inflammatory medications and strenuous exercise the day of the scan. All these things may affect your body temperature and/or metabolism.
What will happen: In the office, you will be asked to undress completely to the waist and sit for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The room will be very cool — uncomfortably so — but this is an important aspect of the test, as your skin needs to adjust to the “cold stress” environment of approximately 66 degrees Fahrenheit for accurate assessment. Next the technician will ask you to plunge your hands into cool water for one full minute. Normal blood vessels will react by constricting, while abnormal vessels typically do not constrict. The technician will then ask you to put your hands on the top of your head, elbows extended outward to lift the breasts (some labs have bars for you to hold on to). After 60 seconds have passed, the technician will take a series of breast scans that reveal any differentiation between healthy and unhealthy (or “hot”) blood vessels on the computer screen. Typically, two sets of images are taken, before and after cold exposure.
Results: Some facilities will give you findings on the spot followed by a written report — others will send a written report later.
IT’S NOT PERFECT
Because it has some deficits, breast thermography should not be considered a replacement for mammography, but it does have utility as an adjunct therapy, Dr. Rubman said. For one thing, there is some debate about how early it is able to detect cancer. Another issue is that thermography is still relatively uncommon and may not be easy to find in your area.
If you opt for DITI, Dr. Rubman recommends that you consult a technician who is trained in performing and interpreting thermography. He/she should be certified by the International Academy of Clinical Thermology, International Thermographic Society, American Academy of Medical Infrared Imaging or the American Academy of Thermology. The cost may be as high as $200 or more, and in most cases is not covered by health insurance.
Breast cancer screening guidelines are based on your age and degree of risk. Women at average risk should begin having annual mammograms at age 40. But if you are at high risk (e.g., for genetic reasons or due to family history), you may want to ask your doctor about adding breast thermography as a valuable form of adjunct screening. It can provide useful information that may turn out to make a big difference to your health.
