Thermography vs Mammogram

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://www.iact-org.org/articles/articles-paradigm-shift.html

Introduction

For purposes of this paper, I define the word "paradigm" to mean "model". The paradigm, or model for breast thermal imaging must change.

The initial use of thermography was for breast cancer screening and diagnosis. This was error. Thermography as a test of physiology is not capable of, and will never be capable of detecting breast cancer.

Anatomical testing such as mammography can also not detect breast cancer. This is a paradox. Both procedures, thermography and mammography, demonstrate abnormalities indicating the possibility of the presence of cancer, as well as a host of other breast conditions. These clinical findings require differential diagnosis.

ONLY laboratory confirmation of abnormal cell morphology can make the correct diagnosis of cancer.

Thermography's role in breast cancer and other breast disorders is one of early detection and monitoring of aberrant (abnormal) physiology and the establishment of risk factors for the development or existence of cancer. This is breast thermography's only role at the current time in history.

[WePurrsevere]

1. There are decent alternatives to mammographies. Thermography is one...

an "educated" Breast self exam is one, MRI's/CT Scans would be two more and a new emerging technology is CTLM (computed tomography laser mammography) which seems to have great potential/ There's also an old stand-by which seems to have improved quite a bit over the years... ultra-sound.

I'm not saying that mammograms are not a useful diagnostic tool nor am I denying that over the years it has saved lives, but women also need to be aware of the very real negatives and the existing alternatives. This is an interesting write up about the Dangers and Unreliability of Mammograms (it covers much more then that as well): http://www.preventcancer.com/patients/mammography/ijhs_mammography.htm

[Ian David]

2. See also:

Quackwatch.org
Dubious Diagnostic Tests

The tests listed below have little or no diagnostic value. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are done primarily or exclusively by chiropractors. If you encounter a practitioner who uses any of these tests, you should seek advice elsewhere. Practitioners who do live cell analysis, biological terrain assessment, dental sensitivity testing, and cytotoxic testing in their offices are required to have CLIA approval for high-complexity testing. Except for freestanding commercial laboratories, blood banks, hospitals, and large medical offices, very few facilities have high-complexity approval. Only a few states restrict the use of unestablished laboratory tests. Nevertheless, if you encounter a practitioner who does these four tests and is not obviously running a laboratory, please ask your state laboratory department to investigate.

More:
http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Tests/tests.html



Also:

Canadian Quackery Watch - Hot Topics

In an attempt to pursue this serious breech of trust, HealthWatcher.net has a pet project and we would like you to help. Following the resources below, if any of you have had cancer, and have been treated by Canadian based naturopaths (or even people who claim to be naturopaths).

[BuddhaGirl]

3. Quackwatch is a ridiculous site

they are against ANYTHING alternative. The guy who runs it is a wacko and an idiot. Certainly some of the tests listed seem dubious but not all of them!

[Ian David]

4. He is rubber, you are glue. :P

[lindisfarne]

5. Thermography: so far unproven for breast imaging.

Thermography is a way of measuring and mapping the heat on the surface of the breast with the use of a special heat-sensing camera. It is based on the idea that the temperature rises in areas with increased blood flow and metabolism, which could signify a tumor.

Thermography has been around for several decades, and some scientists are still attempting to improve the technology for use in breast imaging. However, no study has ever shown that it is an effective screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. It should not be used as a replacement for mammograms.

Newer versions of this test are better able to determine small temperature differences. They may prove to be more accurate than older versions, and are now under study.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_2_3X_Mammography_and_Other_Breast_Imaging_Procedures.asp?sitearea=PED

[havocmom]

6. How does it for for Imflamatory Breast Cancer?

I read where that gem of a problem doesn't always show on a mammogram and that there is a tendency toward heat in the affected tissue.

It's a fairly important question to me right now. Long way to medical care and not real sure I wanna waste time with tests which may not help.

[lindisfarne]

7. I'd research PubMed.com or talk to a few oncologists specializing in

breast cancer.

[havocmom]

10. Not possible where I live

few, far between, LONG time to get appointment.

[lindisfarne]

11. Well, I wish you the best. You said it really matters and if that's the

case, try to get somewhere where you can see an oncologist or two more quickly.

[OzarkDem]

12. Do you have some unusual symptoms right now? n/t

[OzarkDem]

9. If you can feel the heat in your breast

you don't need thermography to confirm it. Inflammatory BC develops quickly and is aggressive. The best thing you can do is pay attention to any problems or changes you notice in your breasts and get to a good oncologist when you do.

Early detection isn't the answer - targeted and effective treatments are the only thing that will cure breast cancer. We need to have treatments that will cure breast cancer no matter how late its detected or how much it may have spread.

[OzarkDem]

8. Agree, there's still reason to keep testing

it could develop into a less invasive, less toxic form of breast screening.

Still it would not be helpful in detecting breast cancer in situ or small (non-invasive) tumors as they haven't begun developing a source of blood supply for the tumor.

I'm holding out hopes for proteomics (hey guys keep folding those proteins for DU!) where breast cancer can be detected with a blood or saliva test.