Overview of thermography?

Thermography is a test that uses an infrared camera to detect heat patterns and blood flow in body tissues.

Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) is the type of thermography that’s used to diagnose breast cancer. DITI reveals temperature differences on the surface of the breasts to diagnose breast cancer.

The idea behind this test is that, as cancer cells multiply, they need more oxygen-rich blood to grow. When blood flow to the tumour increases, the temperature around it rises.

One advantage is that thermography doesn’t give off radiation like mammography, which uses low-dose X-rays to take pictures from inside the breasts. However, thermography isn’t as effective as mammography at detecting breast cancer.

What to expect during the procedure?

You may be asked to avoid wearing deodorant on the day of the exam.

You’ll first undress from the waist up so that your body can become acclimated to the temperature of the room. Then you will stand in front of the imaging system. A technician will take a series of six images including front and side views of your breasts. The whole test takes about 30 minutes.

Your doctor will analyze the images, and you’ll receive the results within a few days.

Reasons why thermography can be nice

It is safe and easy, and it offers some amazing benefits that perfectly complement other analysis tools:

• Thermography is reliable and accurate.
• Thermography provides accurate and objective data.
• Thermography saves you money compared to other methods.
• Thermography is an excellent option when considering an active approach to maintaining your health. It is non-invasive, which means there is no pain.
• Finally, it does not emit any radiation. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about long-term side effects.

Other areas where medical thermography is applied successfully

Respiratory dysfunction

Infrared thermography was applied in airports during the last outbreak of atypical pneumonia (SARS) and is used to control asthma, allergies, bronchitis, influenza, etc.

Digestive disorders

Infrared thermography has shown excellent results in the diagnosis of urgent gastrointestinal pathology, especially appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), colitis, ulcerative colitis, and hyper and hypogastric secretions.

Urinary tract infections

Infrared thermography helps save patient and physician time waiting for laboratory data and can be used successfully to monitor urinary tract infections, kidney pathology, etc.

Cardiac and circulatory disorders

Infrared thermography is applied periodically for differential diagnosis and helps prevent serious circulatory problems such as heart disease and varicose veins. Specific valve points can be found for surgical benefit as well as indications for treatment.

Nervous dysfunction

Infrared thermography analyzes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, giving the physician a reliable and safe approach to the problem area and monitoring improvements.

Endocrine disorders

Infrared thermography can help evaluate hormonal changes, thyroid disorders, and diabetes, such as hypothyroidism.

Skin problems

Infrared thermography provides more accurate information: skin tumours and skin cancers and wound healing.

Types of thermographic inspection devices

The energy auditor may use one of several types of infrared sensing devices in an on-site inspection.

A spot radiometer (also called a point radiometer) is the simplest. It measures radiation one spot at a time, with a simple meter reading showing the temperature of a given spot. The auditor pans the area with the device and notes the temperature differences.

A thermal line scanner shows radiant temperature viewed along a line. The thermogram shows the line scan superimposed over a picture of the panned area. This process shows temperature variations along the line.

The most accurate thermographic inspection device is a thermal imaging camera, which produces a 2-dimensional thermal picture of an area showing heat leakage. Spot radiometers and thermal line scanners do not provide the necessary detail for a complete home energy assessment. Infrared film used in a conventional camera is not sensitive enough to detect heat loss.

Who should get a thermogram?

This has been promoted as a more effective screening test for women under 50 and those with dense breasts. Mammograms aren’t as sensitive in these two groups.

But because this isn’t very good at picking up breast cancer on its own, experts say you shouldn’t use it as a substitute for mammography. The FDA recommends that women only use thermography as an add-on to mammograms for diagnosing breast cancer.

Possible side effects and risks

It is a noninvasive test that uses a camera to take images of your breasts. There is no radiation exposure, no compression of your breasts, and no real risks associated with the test.

Although it is safe, there isn’t any evidence to prove it’s effective. The test has a high false-positive rate, meaning that it sometimes finds cancer when none is present. It’s also worth noting that the test isn’t as sensitive as mammography at finding early breast cancer.