Breast Thermography vs. Mammography
Many women have fear and loathing about X-Ray Mammograms. They are painful to many, impersonal for most, and a radiation risk to all. Now there is a good alternative to X-Ray Mammograms - Infrared (IR) Thermography. But how does this screening method hold up to X-Ray or even the new Breast MRI test? New research is giving us some good data on this question.
In detecting breast cancer early when it has the best chance of cure, the SENSITIVITY of a test is most important. On imaging 7319 women with very early cancer, a study from Germany showed X-Ray Mammography to be only 56% sensitive (Kuhl CK et al. Lancet 2007 Aug 11; 370:485). A separate study showed only a 36% sensitivity for X-Ray mammography (Warner E et al., JAMA. 2004 Sep 15;292(11):1317-25). Compare this to a recent study from the USA which showed Breast Thermography to be 97% sensitive (Arora N et al., Am J Surg. 2008 Oct;196(4):523-6).
Breast MRI showed a sensitivity of 92-98% in the study by Kuhl and 77% in the study by Warner, which is much better than X-Ray Mammography and about equal to IR Thermography. But MRI is very expensive, is difficult for those with claustrophobia, and often requires the intravenous injection of contrast agents. Nevertheless, Breast MRI is being strongly advised by radiologists for those women with a high genetic risk for Breast Cancer.
So why are these radiologists not advising breast screening by IR Thermography? The main reason is that they have invested billions of dollars in the past 40 years in mammography and MRI equipment and training, and they want their investment to pay off. They are therefore afraid of competition from a new imaging test that has been developed by another specialty - Biomedical Engineering. This is an unfounded fear, however, as anyone with an abnormal IR Thermogram should be referred for confirmatory X-Ray Mammogram, Ultrasound, and maybe Breast MRI. The radiologist have even gone so far as to lobby the AMA to delete Thermography from the list of Clinical Procedures (CPT) in 2008, thus depriving women of insurance coverage for what could be a lifesaving thermogram.
We properly-trained thermographers are pleased to provide women with Breast Thermography done with proper technique including good preparation and thermal cool-down for the best breast screening images. As there is no radiation involved, young women can get breast thermography screening. A "baseline" image around age 22 may be done, with follow-up scans at yearly intervals or sooner, depending on one's risk factors. Certainly, should breast thermography show a significant abnormality (or at any time the woman requests) breast ultrasound, MRI, and X-ray mammography should also be performed as medically advised.
Here's hoping for health and wellness for all,
Doctor Jim
James Stewart Campbell, MD.
AAT Senior Member
P.S: Breast Thermography works in MEN, too. If you guys discover a lump in your breast, have it checked out. - JC,MD.
