Thermography

How Does Thermography Work?

Certified thermography technicians use digital cameras that record infrared radiation emitted by the human body and convert them into temperature readings and plot them on a computer screen.

Thermologists are then able to identify areas of hot and cold in relation to the opposite side of the body.  Areas with decreased blood flow will have colder temperature readings and areas of increased blood flow will have warmer temperature readings.

Breast tumors and some other tumors are able to be found on thermal imaging through the process known as Angioneogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels that supply nutrients to a tumor.  This asymmetric increase in blood flow creates an increase in temperature that can be picked up by medical thermal cameras. Many times this blood supply increases over time as a tumor grows and is an important part of baseline studies and the ability for them to identify a tumor at the earliest possible moment.

Types of Cameras Used in Thermography

Cameras used in the industry vary considerably.  The higher the resolution the better to a point.  At Better Body Thermography, we use a state of the art, FDA Cleared system.   Medical Thermal Cameras produce high-resolution, ultra-sensitive infrared images that can be translated into heat measurements. 

What Can Thermography Detect?

Thermography picks up skin surface temperatures on the human body that can be used for analysis by a trained thermologist.  Any disease process that emits heat or decreases circulation can possibly be detected through infrared thermal imaging.  The FDA has cleared the following as adjunctive screening methods with thermography:

  • Breast Cancer

  • Thyroid Pathology

  • Cerebrovascular Health

  • Neuro-muscular Pathology

Other promising and emerging areas deserving consideration include:

  • Infection

  • Fibrocystic breast disease

  • Vascular disease

  • Lymphatic stagnation

  • Breast Health

  • Skin Cancer

  • Testicular Cancer

Thermography was FDA cleared as an adjunctive screening procedure for breast cancer in 1982.

Recent advancements in technology have allowed us to perform even more accurate exams. Studies have been performed on thermography when compared against other forms of testing.  A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Surgery, performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell showed a 97% sensitivity in discriminating cancer compared to biopsy. These results showed thermography to accurately identify 97% (58 of 60) of cancers when compared to mammography.  Obesity and large breasts were a limiting factor.

What Makes Thermography Unique?

Thermography or Digital Infrared Imaging (DITI) helps in detecting heat produced by an increased level of blood vessel circulation (angioneogenesis) and metabolic changes linked with the genesis of a tumor. Benefits to Thermography include:

  • Breast Thermography is safe and comfortable.

  • No Radiation

  • No Contact

  • No Compression

  • Easy to establish a baseline

  • Able to use for women with dense breasts and implants

  • Well Researched for more than 30 years (more than 800 peer-reviewed studies)

  • It helps to identify around 95% of the early stage of cancer in a multi-modal approach