Thermography Detecting Breast Cancer in the Earliest Stages

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a great time to make sure that you are doing everything possible to prevent one of the deadliest cancers that affect women.  For three years now, Alternatives has been offering breast thermography, a technology that employs a digital infrared camera and computer systems to measure heat from the surface of the breasts.  The test produces an image, which can be evaluated for abnormalities in the breast.  


“Thermography is not a test that replaces mammography, but it does provide different information,” noted Dr. Patricia Ryan, Alternatives’ founder.  “Mammography looks at structural changes in the breast and identifies cancer after it already has formed.  Thermography measures increased blood flow to areas of the breast where tumors may be forming. Thermography can be used in concert with mammography to help identify breast cancer and protect women from the advancement of the disease.”  


Research conducted at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell and reported in 2008 revealed that Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI) or breast thermography identified 58 of 60 malignancies, with 97 percent sensitivity, 44 percent specificity and 82 percent negative predictive value depending on the mode used.1  


“DITI is a valuable adjunct to mammography and ultrasound, especially in women with dense breast parenchyma,” the study concluded.


In fact, cancer was recently detected in an Alternatives patient who was reported to have a normal mammogram, Dr. Ryan noted. For more information contact Alternatives today at 827-9450.

1. Am J Surg. 2008 Oct ;196 (4):523-6. Effectiveness of a noninvasive digital infrared thermal imaging system in the detection of breast cancer. Arora N, Martins D, Ruggerio D, Tousimis E, Swistel AJ, Osborne MP, Simmons RM. Department of Surgery; http://www.breastthermography.com/articles/AmJSurg-EffectivenessIR-detectingBCA2008.pdf