What is Thermography?
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging ‘DITI’ is a 5-minute noninvasive test of physiology. It is a valuable procedure for alerting a doctor to changes that can indicate early stage breast disease.
Before you can feel it ... Thermal Imaging can see it!
Utilizing Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging, or thermography as it is also known provides you with another tool in your approach to a proactive healthy lifestyle. By learning early on where there are problems developing, you will be able to make changes in your health long before actual signs and symptoms may occur. Think of thermography as a biomarker to assist you in locating those areas where problems are developing. Thermography is utilized for Whole Body Health in both women and men!
Here are several examples of early detection (from left to right): Hyperthyroid; Carotid Artery Blockage; Heart Disease; Fibromyalgia; Diverticulitis; Arthritis in Knee
Early Detection Saves Lives! See the Conditions Diagnosed and Detected Early with Thermography
Pre–Thermogram Instructions
3 Months Prior to Thermal Screening:
- No major breast surgery
- No chemo/radiation treatments
- No breastfeeding
1 Month Prior to Thermal Screening:
- No minor breast surgery (breast biopsy)
1 Week–to–2 Hours Prior to Thermal Screening: To obtain an accurate reading of your thermogram, please follow the instructions below:
- No prolonged sun exposure (especially sunburn) to the chest and breast areas 5 days prior to exam.
- For Full Body Screening only: no shaving (or other types of hair removal) of the chest, breasts or underarms for 72 hours before the exam.
- For Men’s/Women’s Health Screening only: no shaving (or other types of hair removal) of the chest, breasts or underarms for 24 hours before the exam.
- No treatment (chiropractic, acupuncture, TENS, physical therapy, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, (hot or cold packs use) of the neck, chest, or breasts for 24 hours before the exam.
- Avoid taking any medications/supplements on the day of your exam (especially pain medication, necessary medications such as blood pressure, heart, thyroid medications are permitted–please notify the technician).
- No exercise 4 hours before the exam.
- Do not use any lotions, creams, powders or makeup on the breasts or body, and no use of deodorants or antiperspirants 2 hours before the exam.
- No smoking, eating, no caffeine, and do not smoke or use any nicotine products 2 hours before the exam.
The benefit of DITI testing is that it offers the opportunity of earlier detection of breast disease than has been possible through breast self-examination, doctor exam or mammography alone.
All women can benefit from DITI breast screening. However, it is especially appropriate for younger women (30 – 50) whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to be effective. Also for women of all ages who, for many reasons, are unable to undergo routine mammography. This test can provide a ‘clinical marker’ to the doctor or mammographer that a specific area of the breast needs particularly close examination.
It takes years for a tumor to grow thus the earliest possible indication of abnormality is needed to allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention. DITI’s role in monitoring breast health is to help in early detection and monitoring of abnormal physiology.