ThermaScan
ThermaScan is a system that utilizes sensitive infrared images obtained through thermal imaging to detect small changes in skin temperature. By observing these changes, doctors can get clues that point toward subtle physiological processes associated with certain diseases.
One of the applications of this technology is breast thermography. This is a new, safe, and accurate method for early detection of breast abnormalities. It can be used as an adjunct to screening for breast cancer with mammography.
ThermaScan is painless, safe, and simple. Other names for this test are medical-grade breast thermagraphy MGBT, thermalogy, diagnostic infrared imaging, digital infrared imaging, tele thermalogy, and infrared mammography. It is performed using a high resolution sensitive infrared camera and the images are interpreted by a Therma Scan Reference Laboratory.
Please continue reading to learn more about ThermaScan, including additional uses of this technology in wrinkle and acne scar treatment.
How does ThermaScan work?
Thermography is a non-invasive risk assessment method that uses a heat sensitive camera to detect vascular patterns (blood flow) and heat patterns with an objective analytic system. Changes in these patterns can point towards breast cancer earlier than other types of testing. ThermaScan can therefore play an important role in breast health awareness.
What does the test involve?
The patient stands in front of a highly sensitive medical-grade digital infrared camera at a certified facility. A series of computerized pictures are taken, which capture the natural heat patterns inside the body (i.e., the presence of thermal energy from metabolism). Another series of pictures is taken after challenging the body functionally with a cold stress test. The breast thermography results are interpreted by the Therma Scan Reference Laboratory and sent back to the referring physician.
The test is safe, simple, and pain-free. It is non-invasive and involves no direct contact with technicians or equipment. There are no side effects. There is no radiation exposure.
Is ThermaScan a replacement for mammography?
No, breast thermography is not a replacement for mammography or other diagnostic procedures. It is not a test that can be used in isolation. Rather, it is an adjunctive screening tool that gives healthcare providers further information about physiologic processes in the body. Thermography is safe and reliable as a screening test. It can detect changes which if left untreated could progress to disease which could be detected at later stages by other imaging devices.
As mentioned, thermographic screening is the process of obtaining sensitive infrared images. It is an adjunct to other diagnostic procedures. In other words, infrared thermal imaging helps detect potential problems before they become serious. Meaning, this test can effectively detect breast abnormalities and identify risk factors that increase the risk of breast cancer.
This type of imaging can be used to obtain a picture of the breasts which can be interpreted at the Therma Scan Reference Laboratory. The images can be compared during future scans as part of regular monitoring. Thermal imaging technology can therefore supplement mammography by recognizing patterns in skin temperature. Besides breast health, this technology can be applied to head and neck, cardiovascular, and abdominal health.
Who can undergo breast thermography?
Breast thermography is suitable for women of all ages. It can be done in women with dense breast tissue. It is suitable for all breast sizes. Pregnant and nursing women can undergo this imaging test safely. Women who have breast implants or have undergone breast reduction can also have breast thermography.
Should women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo medical grade breast thermography (MGBT)?
MGBT can be used in women with a diagnosis of breast cancer to identify any potential additional disease sites that may need treatment. It can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment for breast cancer.
Why Choose Therma-Scan™?
Breast thermography has multiple benefits in breast evaluation. It can provide the first indication of breast cancer. It is a non-radiating and non invasive procedure. There is no physical contact with equipment or technicians. No dyes are injected. Breast compression is not required. The test can be done without a physician referral. Women of all ages can undergo breast thermography. The results are not compromised by breast size, fibrocystic disease, dense breast tissue, breast reduction, or breast implants. Last but not least, it is one of the least expensive methods of breast screening.
Is medical grade thermagraphy recognized?
Thermagraphy has approval as an adjunctive diagnostic test for breast disease from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Why do I need both mammography and MGBT?
Mammography evaluates the structure of the breast tissue. It can provide a specific location for tissue sampling (biopsy) which is needed to make a diagnosis of breast cancer. However, large scale studies have shown that mammography may not be an effective screening tool for premenopausal women and in women who have fibrocystic breast disease or dense breast tissue. Also, there are concerns that screening mammography can lead to unnecessary and expensive treatment.
Thermagraphy can be an effective screening tool in women who are not suitable for mammography. This imaging is based on tissue function rather than structure. It complements other imaging tests like mammography, ultrasound, and MRI. Thermagraphy offsets the over-diagnosis that is a concerning issue with mammography. But while thermagraphy can detect breast cancer in the earliest stages and indicate the aggressiveness of the disease, unlike mammography, it cannot precisely locate a suspicious breast lesion for biopsy.
How often is MGBT screening recommended?
Routine breast screening with thermagraphy should start in the early 30s and be repeated annually. Women who have a high risk of breast cancer (for example, due to a family history) may begin screening at a younger age and repeat the test at shorter intervals. More frequent screening with MGBT may be needed in women who have equivocal results with other methods of screening or those with prior diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.
How much does ThermaScan breast imaging cost?
The cost can vary depending on location and doctor but typically ranges from $150 to $300. Insurance companies do not cover the cost of this test.
What conditions can be treated with ThermaScan?
While infrared imaging is used in medical science for breast imaging, physicians also use it to perform non-invasive and non-ablative treatment of wrinkles and acne scars. The infrared wavelength 1319 nm performs controlled heating of the skin and promotes collagen remodeling. This helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and acne scars and improves skin tone and texture. It also minimizes oil production from the sebaceous glands, thereby treating acne.
Infrared systems use a high-speed computer scanner called the LAPG (Large Area Pattern Generator) to find each spot and allow thermal relaxation (heat switched off) between pulses. The advanced robotic scanning also makes the treatments faster. To ensure safety, the system has integrated contact cooling plates. ThermaScan can be used for all skin types, including dark toned and tanned skin.
Finding a provider for ThermaScan
The MeTime app is the world's premier source to find aesthetic providers and healthcare professionals. Download the MeTime app today and find out how sensitive infrared images with ThermaScan can be used for breast screening as well as where else this test can be used in the human body.