 the thermogram. The areas where there is an increased blood supply will also show up on the thermogram.
In healthy breasts there will be a symmetrical heat pattern on both breasts, but if there is more vascular and/or cellular activity due to potential cancer cells on one breast, this can show up as thermal asymmetry on the thermogram.
Thermographic Imaging of the breast has 5 different risk ratings, where 1 is the lowest risk rating and 5 is the highest for developing cancer. If the Thermography results show a low risk rate, it will be recommended to just return for a routine Thermography of the breasts to check for any changes.
If results are a higher risk rate, then recommendations will be for further medical testing to evaluate a possible existence of a tumor.
What can be done to prevent cancer? If a risk rating is high (4 or 5) and there is no existing tumor, recommendations will be made to try to prevent or inhibit the development of cancer through various lifestyle changes. These include diet, exercise, reducing stress and avoiding toxins.
Some women are more sensitive to estrogen and are at a greater risk of developing a tumor that is estrogen sensitive - a tumor that is more likely to grow in a high-estrogen environment. It is important for these women to remove estrogen and estrogen imitators. For example, certain plastic containers we store our food in are made up of molecules that are very similar in structure to the estrogen molecule. These molecules may leach into the food or liquid and the body can mistake these as estrogen molecules. Estrogen mimickers may contribute to the development of an estrogen sensitive tumor.
Another example of environmental factors that may be may be causing breast cancer are preservatives called parabens that are found in almost all of our skin care and hair products. Research shows that parabens are found in breast cancer tumors – causing researchers to fear that parabens may be causing certain types of breast cancer tumors. This is yet another substance a woman who has a high risk rate may want to avoid.
This is just some of the info women, who are trying to prevent breast cancer, will have to take into consideration as they change their lifestyles for prevention.
Of course it would be best if everyone adopted these lifestyle changes to prevent not only cancer but other illnesses as well, but most of us need a red light warning to make these changes. At least with Thermography we get that warning and have time to make those changes.
The Test Itself The test is done at a clinic that has Thermographic Imaging. The breasts are photographed behind a curtain. There is no need for any physical contact.
You will first need to wait 15 minutes bare chested to adjust to the temperature of the room. You are either alone or can bring a companion with you. I recommend bringing a book to read while waiting
The test itself takes only a few minutes. Results are analyzed and later sent.
Thermography in Israel At this time Thermographic Imaging of the breasts is only available privately.
The price of the test is 700 NIS including a report and images on a CD. Payment may be made in up to 3 installments.
I can't emphasize enough the importance of doing this test once a year to safeguard your health.
Mammography Mammograms have recently made the news due to the publication last month of the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force's change in guidelines for routine screening for breast cancer. Based on analysis of existing trials that looked at how mammography screening effected breast cancer related deaths, the task force now recommends that women only over the age of 50 be routinely screened every 2 years. This is a great change from the guidelines that recommended women be screened from the age of 40.
This has caused a great rift in the medical world. Many doctors feel that having routine mammograms from age 40 can save the lives of many women due to early detection. On the other hand there are those who feel that the danger of being exposed to radiation for those extra 10 years can be more harmf