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SERVING
THE ONTARIO
COMMUNITIES OF
GEORGIAN BAY
AND SIMCOE,
INCLUDING
OWEN SOUND,
MEAFORD,
THORNBURY,
COLLINGWOOD
AND BARRIE. |
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Breast Thermography
Breast thermography has been
researched for over 30 years, and
over 800 peer-reviewed breast
thermography studies exist in the
index-medicus.
In this data base well over
250,000
women have been included as study
participants. Some of these studies
have followed patients up to 12
years. Breast thermography has an
average sensitivity and specificity
of
90%.
Studies show that:
An abnormal
infrared image is the
single-most important marker of
high risk for developing breast
cancer.
A persistent
abnormal thermogram carries with
it a 22 times higher risk of
future breast cancer.
When
thermography is added to a
woman's regular breast health
checkup, a
61%
increase in survival rate
has been realized.
Finally,
when used as part of a
multimodal approach (clinical
examination + mammography +
thermography),
95% of
early-stage cancers will be
detected.
Breast
thermography is not a stand-alone
tool in the screening and diagnosis
of breast cancer. It is adjunctive.
We can not ignore the tremendous
role of thermography as an early
risk indicator or as a monitor of
treatment. When a thermogram is
positive, a closet look at the
patient's diet, exposure to
environmental pollution, toxins and
lifestyle is in order. Clinical
blood work in addition to ultrasound
and mammography is essential. When
mammography and blood work are
negative or equivocal, thermographic
monitoring on a quarterly to
semi-annual basis should be
performed in those patients with
suspicious thermograms.
Changes in tumor
angiogenesis can be evaluated and
other procedures can be ordered to
aid in the earliest possible
diagnosis. Thermography is
non-ionizing and safe and there is
no reason to simply "wait and see"
any longer. It is at this stage that
a major decision must be made. We
can no longer be passive but must
become proactive with our health.
The "wait and see' just because a
mammogram is negative or equivocal
is no longer acceptable. With a more
universal non-political approach,
thermal imaging can become a
valuable early detection tool that
is indispensable in patient's
health care. Since it has been
determined that 1 in 8 women will
get breast cancer, we must use every
means possible to detect cancers
when there is the greatest chance
for survival. Proper use of breast
self-exams, physician exams,
thermography, and mammography
together provide the earliest
detection system available to date.
If treated in the earliest stages,
cure rates greater than 95% are
possible.
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