Breast Thermography/Mammograms

I am 51 years old turning 52 in November.  Last year I had my first breast thermography test in May of 2007.  Both breasts were rated T-2.  I hadn't had a mammogram (my only one) since I was 45.  In May of 2008 I had another breast thermography test (wanted to make this a yearly thing) and my right breast showed a change to T-3.

I went to my family physician and he knew nothing of breast thermography but was extremely interested.  He booked me for a mammogram which showed said, "Parenchymal pattern is unchanged.  Parenchyma is fairly dense.  No suspicious mass, calcification or distortion identified."  No ultrasound was taken because they said the ultrasound was normal.

My doctor has suggested I book another thermography app't in November, 2008. I am worried.  But I have read the change could be due to hormone fluctuations.  My doctor says I am in menopause due to my estrogen dipping and no period since May/08(estradiol showed 64 pmol/l - supposedly less than 110 pmol/l is post menopausal).

I guess my question is ... what if the right breast goes to a T-4?  What would be the next step?  Another mammogram? ... and what if nothing shows up again?

Doreen

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

I'm not sure if you should continue with the thermography tests since I believe this test still has no proven clinical value in terms of detecting breast lesions and may confound both the patient and the doctor regarding the interpretation of such tests (which I think is happening to you and your doctor right now).

I would suggest that you stick with the recommended screening test such as the mammogram which has been proven over and over to increase the detection of breast cancer and improve over-all survival.

Regards.

[mamaboulet]

I'm hoping that thermography will become yet another tool in the fight against breast cancer, but the doctor is right about it still being pretty much a fringe technology without a proven clinical track record. I do think that more doctors should start investigating it, because it does seem to have some potential, but for now you already ran into one of the main problems: how to interpret the results and correlate them with other tests.

[Dreen23]

Thanks for your replies.  I appreciate it.

[clinicalthermography]

A little background on breast thermography:

Studies, research and clinical trials have been conducted since the '50s, including positive results from the Office of Naval Research.  FDA approved as an adjunct to breast cancer screening in 1982.

Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet or 100% conclusive tests for breast cancer.  Each test has its own benefits as well as limitations.  The anatomical procedures, such as mammogram, ultrasound and MRI can image the internal structure and results of any disease or dysfunction, such as leision (structure).  Thermography can provide imaging regarding physiology, such as angiogenisis (increase in vascularity) which is the process in which cancer grows.  Most of the anatomical procedures have diffuculty with the small leisons, with the average size detectable with mammogram in the 1.2 cm range.  Ultrasound and MRI can image somewhat smaller leisions.  Studies have suggested thermography can detect cell mutation very early and therefore undetectable with mammogram in very early stages.

While thermography may be viewed as fringe technology, it has been around for over 20 years and is another tool to use to monitor breast health.  Advances in digital imaging technology and thermal sensitivity have increased the adjunct value of thermography.

In most cases, cancer is a slow growing disease and as such constant monitoring is necessary to catch any changes as early as possible.  Again, thermography isn't the be all / end all, and should never be used as a singular method, but it is a good adjunct to breast health monitoring.  When included with mammography and clinical exams along with family history, lifestyle and general health conditions it complements traditional procedures to assure every tool is used to monitor breast health.

Good luck and God Bless.
Kurt Hiserodt
Tulsa, OK