In 1982 the FDA approved breast thermography as an adjunctive diagnostic breast cancer screening procedure. Breast cancer thermography has undergone extensive research since the late 1950’s – including more than 800 peer-reviewed studies, more than 300,000 participants, strict interpretation protocols, and influence of environmental factors on breast cancer. An abnormal thermogram image is the single most important marker of high risk for the existence of or future development of breast cancer according to Dr. William B. Hobbins, one of the original mammography and thermography researchers. He is also the creator of the breast thermography interpretation model and a renowned breast cancer surgeon.
In thermography, each breast is graded on a TH scale from 1 to 5. TH 4 and 5 thermograms present a greater risk that a cancer may be present, or that you are at a higher risk for cancer in the future.
• TH 1 – Normal image without vascularity (blood vessels)
• TH 2 – Normal image with vascularity
• TH 3 – Equivocal (questionable, but not abnormal)
• TH 4 – Abnormal
• TH 5 – Very abnormal
Is there a “normal” thermogram? No matter what, every woman has her own “breast thumbprint”. There will almost always be asymmetrical findings because we as human beings are not made symmetrical. According to a five year follow-up study on healthy patients, normal thermograms were given when the average side to side temperature differentiated only 0.5 degrees Celcius. (1) However, most women’s TH scores range around 3. Why is this so? Is this considered “normal”?
According to Dr. William Amalu, doctor of chiropractic, Board Certified Clinical Thermologist, and Diplomate in Clinical Thermography, 95 percent of all TH3 scores are normal. Within the 95 percent, 50 percent will downgrade to a TH2 on retesting and the remaining 45 percent will stay a TH3 due to their normal physiology.
Once a patient has been found to have a stable TH3, their tests are considered normal. A stable TH3 is reached with baseline testing of two thermograms within a 6 month period.
The physiology that shows on a thermogram presents itself as a heat map, highlighting areas of higher inflammation and patterns of blood vessels based on metabolic activity and vascular circulation. In 1963, two McGill University surgeons, Lawson and Chughtai, published an imperative study demonstrating the connection between increasing regional skin temperature and venous convection. (2) This study, along with other experiments, lead to the credibility that infrared findings were linked to increased vascularity.
Dr. Amalu describes the breast cancer story and how it can be detected by thermography: “In need for nutrients, cancerous tumors increase circulation to their cells by holding open existing blood vessels, opening dormant vessels, and creating new ones. This process frequently results in an increase in regional surface temperatures of the breast. Thermography uses ultra-sensitive medical cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution images of these temperature variations. Because of Thermography’s extreme sensitivity, these temperature variations may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer.” (3)
Currently first-line breast cancer detection still relies on clinical examination and mammography. However, it is well recognized that the sensitivity rate of mammography is below 64% (4) and its false-negative rates are ranging up to 30% with decreasing sensitivity in younger patients and those on estrogen-replacement therapy. (5) All the while, “staying young with estrogen has caused a 210% rise in breast cancer even with advancements in medical technology, increased research, and awareness” according to Dr. Hobbins! (6) The statistics indicate that the sensitivity rate of thermography is 86% (7) and it’s false-negative rates are 11%. (8)
| Sensitivity Rate: |
False-Negative Rate: |
|
| Mammography | 64% | 30% |
| Thermography | 86% | 11% |
Estrogen may be implicated in breast cancer risk because of its role in stimulating breast cell division, its role in breast growth and development, its effect on other hormones that stimulate breast cell division, and its support of the growth of estrogen-responsive tumors. (9) Bio-identical estrogens, oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy and soy create weight gain, play a factor in infertility, accelerate aging, and increase the risk for breast cancer. The greatest concern is over synthetic xenoestrogens (such as herbicides, parabens and other chemically produced substances) which are not easily broken down. These can accumulate and be stored in the body’s fat cells, including breast fat. There are lifestyle factors too that affect estrogen levels in the body such as exercise, diet, alcohol, and body weight. All of these which we have control over.
Don’t know where to start or need more advice? By getting a comprehensive blood panel and tissue mineral analysis, your experienced nutritionist can determine deficiencies and toxicities which may be interfering with body’s primary functions for optimal overall health. Become educated on the right foods to eat, the right vitamins and supplements to take, and monitor your health status with proper testing today! Call and schedule your appointment and
“Do something today… to be healthier than you were yesterday!”
~ Dr. Van Merkle.
References:
- Uematsu, J. Quantification of Thermal Symmetry. Neurosurgery 69:552-555. 1988
- Lawson, R.N. and Chughtai, M.S., Breast cancer and body temperatures. Can. Med. Assoc. J., 88,68,1963.
- Dr. William Amalu. http://www.breastthermography.com/breast_thermography_mf.htm
- Keyserlignk, J.R., Ahlgren, P.D., et al., Infrared imaging of the breast; initial reappraisal using high-resolution digital technology in 100 successive cases of stage 1 and 2 breast cancer. Breast J., 4, 1998
- Rosenberg, R.D., Hunt, W.C., et al., Effects of age, breast density, ethnicity, and estrogen replacement therapy on screening mammographic sensititivty and cancer stage at diagnosis: Review of 183,134 screening mammograms in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Radiology, 209,511, 1998.
- Hobbins, William, M.D., Sellens, Wendy L.Ac. Breast Cancer Boot Camp. Tate Publishing
- Head, J.F., Lipari, C.A. and Elliot, R.L., Comparison of mammography, and breast infrared imaging: sensitivity, specificity, false negatives, false positives, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. IEEE, 1999.
- Amalric, R., Giraud, C., et. al. Does Infrared Thermography Truly Have a Role in Present Day Breast Cancer Management? Biomedical Thermography 269-278. 1982
- Clark, Rachel Ann, Snedeker, Susan, et al. Estrogen & Breast Cancer Risk: Factors of Exposure. Cornell University. March 1998, updated July 2002