Thermography
Pain-Free Breast Cancer Risk Screenings
No Compression
No Radiation
No Doctor Referral Needed
Learn & Lower Your Risk of Breast Cancer
When women follow recommended guidelines, mammograms can miss cancers or create. What’s more, is that a diagnosis of breast cancer often comes as a shock without warning. By the time a tumor is large enough to be detected by a mammogram, it has been growing for years and is already at a point that requires surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
We have the technology to do better.
Breast thermography can detect patterns of heat and blood flow in the breast tissue, which can signal an early warning sign of cancerous or precancerous activity. When combined with structural imaging, like mammograms or thermography can boost early breast cancer detection rates.
Mammograms detect established tumors. Thermography can detect functional changes that precede tumor growth-opening a window of opportunity for real prevention.
How to Get Started:
- Book an Appointment online or call the office. You do not need a doctor referral.
- Fill out all Intake Forms
- Follow the recommended protocol to prepare for your appointment.
- Thermography Appointment- Will take about 30 minutes, there is no contact, no radiation. Report comes back in 7-14 days.
- Report Evaluation- You’ll receive a complete report of results and recommendations from a board-certified thermologist.
- Schedule your follow up Thermography appointment in 3-6-9-or 12 months.
No one knows your body better than you!
Most women will experience breast changes during their life. These changes are often normal and likely caused by hormonal fluctuations related to your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, or simply the aging process. However, some breast changes will warrant further assessment and testing. Knowing what your breasts normally look and feel like is important.
There are so many things in life that are out of our control. We owe it to ourselves and those we love to take charge of things we can control. I urge all of you to take an active role and optimize your breast wellness.
You deserve to know.
Don’t miss your window of early risk detection. Breast thermography detects changes in the breast tissue that precede cancer growth. This is valuable information that gives you a window of time for real prevention.
The Goal of Thermography
The goal of thermography is not to compete with mammography, but to identify abnormal physiological changes before structural changes arise. These changes could be in the breast or anywhere in the body. The key is to early identification which can lead to early intervention!
Thermography is a functional test that can monitor abnormal physiology and detect the subtle changes that accompany breast pathology. Whereas anatomical imaging provides unparalleled detail to lesion size, location, morphology, and structural changes to adjacent tissues. The only true test to accurately identify cancer is a biopsy. However, with the synergistic capabilities of multimodality imaging such as thermography, we can help improve our ability to characterize pathology and achieve the best possible outcomes for health-wellness.
Medical Thermography is an additional diagnostic tool that can enhance clinical assessment and decision-making in the development of treatment strategies to meet health goals.
Full Body Thermography
Identify Pathology
Thermography is a non-invasive test that uses infrared technology to produce thermal images of the body. These images show the temperature of the ski and can be used to identify pathological changes.
Safe
Thermography is safe, with no radiation or compression involved. It can be performed on anyone, including pregnancy/breastfeeding woman, children, and men.
FDA-Cleared
The FDA has cleared thermography to be used as an adjunctive tool to supplement mammography, ultrasound, and other breast imaging modalities since 1982!
More uses for Thermography cleared by the FDA:
Peripheral vascular disease
Musculoskeletal disorders
Extracranial cerebral and facial vascular disease
Abnormalities of the thyroid gland
Various neoplastic and inflammatory conditions.
Corrective Balance partners with Breast Thermography International https://btiscan.com/
The Mission of Breast Thermography International is to bring a high level of scientific standards to thermographic imaging and our patients. We see that all members are trained to the highest standard possible through extensive training and continuing education. BTI standards of education are regulated through PACT, Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology, a Non-Profit Organization. All members must adhere to these guidelines.
MEDICAL THERMOGRAPHY
What is Medical Thermography?
Medical Thermography is a whole body analysis for assessing skin surface temperatures that can be correlated by a physician to assess for abnormal physiology. Uses for thermography are similar to that of an oral thermometer, a stethoscope, or any other medical test that assesses patient function. There are several types of medical devices used by the medical thermologist. These include contact sensors, infrared cameras, and point analysis systems. The most technical and advanced system is the infrared thermal camera which is the choice technology of Breast Thermography International and the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology.
Infrared cameras measure radiation in the infrared electromagnetic emission that the human body emits. The sensors on the thermal camera read varying degrees of infrared emittance and through proper calibration, translates it into a temperature reading. The information is then plotted in a digital format in a color palette. The most commonly used palette is the full spectrum rainbow (ROYGBIV) which shows hot measurements as red and white and cold measurements as magenta and black. These patterns are then analyzed and physiological assessments are made.
FDA – Cleared Adjunctive Applications
of Medical Thermography Include:
Breast cancer screening
Thyroid pathology
Cerebrovascular screening
Peripheral vascular disorders
Neuromuscular conditions
Medical Thermography in a clinical setting
may aid the doctor to detect:
Systemic conditions
Infection
Inflammation
Toxicity
Dysfunction of the lymphatic system
Testicular disorders
Any disease that may increase or decrease skin surface temperatures
BREAST THERMOGRAPHY
Why Choose Breast Thermography?
Breast Thermography is an FDA cleared adjunctive tool for detecting breast cancer.
Breast Thermography is:
100% safe
Radiation free
Contact free
Compression free
Comfortable and convenient
Effective for women with dense breasts and implants
Effective for establishing an individualized baseline of breast health
An effective screening tool for women under 40 who are overlooked by current breast cancer screening guidelines
Extensively researched (over 30 years of research and 800 peer-reviewed articles)
Able to identify approximately 95% of early stage breast cancer in a multi-modal approach
What is Breast Thermography?
Breast Thermography at Corrective Balance Wausau, Wisconsin is a non-invasive and painless way to screen for breast cancer without radiation or compression of the breast. It uses state of the art medical infrared technology to assess heat in the breast. Comparative exams create a baseline for monitoring breast health based on individual thermal patterns and changes.
Scientists use infrared technology in most aspects of modern science including weather, space programs, military, espionage, and other applications. In these areas thermography is a 100% reliable tool for assessment to be used along with other technologies.
In breast thermography we are looking for heat patterns in the breast that may indicate pathology. Tumor growth is a physiological process that creates increased vascular patterns that can be detected on a modern infrared camera. Thermography can establish overall breast health and is an excellent test for assessing fibrocystic breasts and overall breast health.
How Does Thermography Work?
Modern Thermologists 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. Thermologist’s 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 found on thermal imaging through the process known as Angioneogenesis, the formation of new blood vessel 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.
Thermography vs Mammography
Thermography is an effective, safe, and comfortable adjunctive procedure for screening for breast cancer. Thermography is NOT a stand-alone diagnostic test, but is a safer and more comfortable way for women to screen for breast cancer more frequently. In some cases, breast thermography has detected breast cancer in women with negative mammograms. The November 2012 article in the New England Journal of Medicine brought this fact to light. “Mammograms have failed to reduce fatalities in cancer across a population base as a sole method of screening.” Thus, a multi-modal approach, incorporating more methods than just mammography, could be life-saving to many women.
Additionally, a very important area of consideration is the neglected category of women under the age of 40, as well as women with dense breasts who are unable to be effectively screened with mammography and the current standard of care. A push is currently underway to use thermography as a method to cover this gap. There are over 20,000 cases of breast cancer in the age group of women under 40 each year in the USA. When cancer occurs in a younger woman it is usually a much more aggressive form, and less likely to respond to treatment. There is currently no routine screening test for women under 40. We propose that thermography may fill this void and should be investigated as a viable test for these women.
Breast Thermography Exam Process
This non-invasive physical test known as Thermography lasts for around 15 minutes. Unlike like mammography exams, it doesn’t lay any sort of stress on the breast. It uses digital infrared imaging to discover any symmetrical changes in the breast. Women with implants or those with a mastectomy fall outside of the “routine” analysis, but are able to be tested with some adaptations in evaluation procedures.
Testing is performed in the physician’s or technician’s office. The patient will be asked to fill out a breast history form. The examination is in a closed private room. The patient will be left for 15 minutes to let their body reach equilibrium with the room’s temperature. After 15 minutes the patient will be positioned in front of the camera (thermography system) to image the upper chest, underarms, and the breasts.
These images are captured in real time from the infrared imaging camera then stored. All images are stored for comparison of future images so that a baseline can be achieved. The images provide a clear view to vascular patterns, temperature differentials, and possible pathological conditions.
Once the images are captured they will be interpreted by a PACT Certified Clinical Thermologist., who will process and grade the images digitally. After analyzing the images, they are graded using a PACT standardized reading protocol.
Overall Breast Health and Thermography
We are at the cutting edge in technology and have seen some remarkable presentations in the physiology of the body. We are pioneering areas that have never been seen before. One of these areas is in the area of toxicity. We have established a relationship between Hormone Toxicity/ Fibrocystic Breasts and small pockets of inflammation that we describe as “leopard spots”.
More properly these areas are sequestered areas of inflammation due to toxins(irritants) in the form of several possibilities. Through massive deduction of hundreds of thousands of cases we theorize these points are aberrant and only found in pathological patients. We have established this through clinical experience and intense study of specific habits of our large patient base. For example, we notice an absence or minimization of these spots in patients who live a toxin free life and adhere to strict diet and lifestyle.
We need a large study of this nature but understanding that studies of this size only are performed for drug companies we will probably never see one. The best we can offer at this point is our experience and observations until we can fund such a study.
Why Choose Breast Thermography?
Breast Thermography at Corrective Balance LLC Wausau Wisconsin is an FDA cleared adjunctive tool for detecting breast cancer. Breast Thermography is:
100% safe
Radiation free
Contact free
Compression free
Comfortable and convenient
Effective for women with dense breasts and implants
Effective for establishing an individualized baseline of breast health
An effective screening tool for women under 40 who are overlooked by current breast cancer screening guidelines
Extensively researched (over 30 years of research and 800 peer-reviewed articles)
Able to identify approximately 95% of early stage breast cancer in a multi-modal approach
Breast Thermography Testing and The FDA
The Food and Drug Administration has cleared thermography for several purposes as an adjunctive screening. One of these is breast cancer screening. It is important to understand that breast thermography is not a stand alone procedure for breast cancer screening.
BTI’s Stance
We make it clear in all of our testing that the FDA stance on breast thermography is a valid one and has been adopted by Breast Thermography International and the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology. The more information in the quest for the early detection of breast cancer that we have the more lives will be saved. The November 2012 article in the New England Journal of Medicine brought this fact to light. Mammograms have failed to reduce fatalities in cancer across a population base as a sole method of screening. We hope the medical community will analyze this data and provide a multi modal approach to breast cancer screening. We would like to see research in the area of combining non radiation tests (MRI, Ultrasound, Thermography). It would be simple to incorporate breast thermography in to the current screening regiments.
None of the case studies within this site should lead any patient to choose breast thermography as the sole method for screening.
What Else Can Thermography Detect?
Breast Thermography can detect and monitor:
Breast Cancer
Thyroid Pathology
Cerebrovascular Health
Nerve Pathology
Inflammation
Infection
Fibrocystic breast disease
Vascular disease
Lymphatic stagnation
Breast Health
Any alteration of Skin Surface Temperature
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
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need a referral for an appointment?
No. You may book an appointment directly at Corrective Balance.com click on schedule
How long does an appointment take?
Approximately 20-30 minutes. Plan on being at Corrective Balance, Wausau Wisconsin for 45 minutes.
How long does it take to get the results?
BTI prides themselves with prompt turnaround. In most cases, our Board Certified Thermographers will have the results back to your center in 1-2 weeks or less.
Is thermography covered by insurance?
Not at this time. Keep in mind, cutting edge technology is not covered in most fields of medicine. Corrective Balance charges a nominal fee for this technology despite the high cost of the equipment and the cost of running a center. Insurance coverage should not keep you away. Think of all of the other less important things we spend our money on!
Do I need to get a mammogram?
That is between you and your primary physician. Thermography is an adjunctive procedure that offers extra information and can be combined with other testing.
How much does a breast thermogram cost?
Breast $300
Upper body, waste above $400
Full body $500
What do I do if the therogram is positive?Take appropriate action and be sure to follow-up as recommended by our doctors and yours. Many times we are able to pick up cancerous changes before other standard tests, which provides the ability to act swiftly and appropriately. For example, thyroid heat may be found long before a blood test will show signs of thyroid dysfunction. It is well advised to work with a doctor familiar with thermal imaging and its life saving ability.
Should I get a full body scan?
About 90% of our patients at BTI nationwide have a full body or profile done at the time of exam. We have a 97% patient satisfaction rate based on recent surveys. The information not only shows areas of dysfunction, but may show if your personal wellness plan is working.
What do I do if my doctor discredits the results?
Please help educate your doctor. Even the “best doctors” think inside their guidelines and frequently reject new ideas and technology. Chances are they are misinformed, or not informed at all. Share information with them that you can download from this site. After all, these very studies come from well respected medical journals.
How often will I need to thermography?
Your initial scan will dictate what follow-up is necessary. With no suspicious findings, most follow-up recommendations will be 12 months. Scans that warrant monitoring typically will be 3-6 months. If you are using thermography to monitor your overall health then it is a good idea to be tested quarterly until your health is stable. Annual wellness checks are recommended.
Are there any false positives with thermal imaging?
The purpose of the thermographic evaluation is to show areas of hot and cold in the body. Thermography is greater than 99% accurate for this purpose. Therefore, we can say there are no false positives with thermal imaging. Heat can be present due to many factors. There is no such thing as “normal” inflammation in the body. This is due to a pathological process or injury.
Who interprets BTI Medical Thermography Images?
Board Certified Physicians interpret thermography images. Breast Thermography International relies on the advanced training and certification through certification through the Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology. Our thermography interpreters have over 40 years of experience in medical thermography. Every image is analyzed by three levels of interpreters with varying degrees of expertise.
How do I receive my results?
A complete assessment of your skin surface temperature measurements will be compiled in a multi-page report after our medical thermology team has completed their in-depth work. Reports will be issued in a digital format so you may enjoy the high resolution images on your favorite digital device. You will see various measurements and comments based on your findings that will need to be investigated by a physician. Medical Thermology reports are easy to understand by your doctor as their training in physiology and anatomy is extensive. A baseline study is usually needed so that future comparisons can be analyzed.
Mandatory Protocols for Thermal Imaging
Patient Preparation:
Thermal imaging is a heat sensitive test. Anything which creates heat should be avoided prior to testing. Excessive metabolic activity, friction, or any of the activities listed below which will alter heat readings.
1 Month Prior:
No minor breast surgery, i.e. biopsy
We may still perform testing after biopsy. Write this in Intake form.
1 Week Prior:
Be cautious of too much sun exposure in order to avoid sunburn. Scans will have to be rescheduled if the patient has a sunburn of any sort.
48 Hours Prior:
Men with beards should shave their face and neck, as well as backs
Avoid all tanning and limit sun exposure
24 Hours Prior:
Avoid chiropractic care, massage therapy or acupuncture
No saunas, steam baths, hot tubs, heating pads, or hot water bottles
No analgesic creams or balms
Do not shave underarms (Should be done prior)
Reschedule if you experience a significant fever
Refrain from sexual activity
Day of Exam:
For best results, please wear thong underwear or a jock strap for full body studies. Underwear is optional and best results are without. Do not use creams, lotions, cosmetics, ointments, deodorant, antiperspirants, powders or any other skin product
Day of Exam:
Please bring a hair tie to remove hair from your forehead and back of neck
Remove all piercings and jewelry prior to exam, unless unable to.
4 Hours Prior:
Avoid hot showers or shaving
Avoid physical therapy or exercise
No coffee, tea, soda, or other beverages containing caffeine. No alcoholic beverages.
Do not smoke cigarettes or use any product which contains nicotine
Women- do not wear a bra for the 4 hours leading up to the exam
2 Hours Before the Exam:
Avoid hot or cold liquids
Avoid eating or chewing gum
Avoid using a cell phone
Avoid heated car seats
Avoid heated steering wheels
Prior to and During Exam:
Please inform us if you have a hot flash during the session
Try to relax prior to and during the exam. Stress will affect your exam.
Dr. Jennifer Knauf, Naturopathic Doctor at Corrective Balance LLC located in Wausau, Wisconsin where we are bridging the gap between medical care and self care model. We offer Integrative Medicine, Functional Medicine, Diagnostic Nutrition, Alternative Medicine, Holistic Health, Functional Labs, Health Coaching, Naturopathic Doctor Services, Thermography Services at Corrective Balance LLC in Wausau, Wisconsin. Corrective Balance LLC provides a step-by-step system to investigate the underlying causes of disease and identify healing opportunities, to provide individualized behavior and lifestyle programs that restore function and resolve unwanted health conditions permanently.
