At Midwest Thermography, breast thermograms are recommended annually for women, especially if any of the following risk factors apply:
Thermal breast imaging is a breast health risk assessment tool that is used in addition to standard breast screening and/or diagnostic examinations. It is not a stand-alone examination and cannot diagnose or rule out the presence of breast cancer regardless of the risk rating assigned. When interpreting these images, we look for unusual patterns of blood vessels and warming that can suggest inflammation or unusual vascular activity. Inflammation and unusual vascular activity may suggest risk for the presence of breast cancer or risk for developing cancer in the future.
Thermal (TH) risk rating for each breast is a unique TH rating that describes the level of inflammation and blood vessel activity in the breasts which can contribute to both current and future risk. The higher the rating, the greater the risk. The hormonal grade for estrogen activity describes the level of estrogen activity occurring in the breasts. This activity can be associated with breast pain, breast lumps and/or increased risk.
Your thermal imaging report may recommend prompt follow up with your doctor for further evaluation of the breast tissue. It may also recommend follow up with your doctor, specifically with regards to any breast or axillary symptoms, concerns, or exam findings you may currently be experiencing. All concerns including but not limited to lumps, skin changes, clinical findings and radiographic findings require medical evaluation regardless of the thermal imaging results.Breast thermogram reports will include a return for follow up recommendations to determine if there are any changes to your level of risk.
Since thermal imaging is designed to be used in combination with other examinations rather than a stand-alone detection technology, please follow your doctor’s recommendations regarding additional breast examinations.
