TRUE BREAST THERMOGRAPHY - NOT ALL BREAST THERMOGRAPHY IS THE SAME

What is True Breast Thermography and why is it important? 

Understanding breast thermography and the science behind it can be a concept to have to learn and grasp to truly understand its value for long term monitoring of your breast health. Standard medical imaging is cut and dry in that the way your body presents for the actual imaging is what it sees and results.  But breast thermography is different. There are some main concepts that need to be understood to be assured that the process of thermography is accurate and provides the best results for you from year to year where your breast health is concerned. To make this easier to understand here are the key concepts in some detail:

Setting a baseline

Because your heat pattern is unique to you and you only, it is necessary to set a baseline in thermography that can then be compared annually when monitoring your breast health. The preface of thermography is to look for and assess if there is any CHANGE OVER TIME. The only way to do that is to have a comparable baseline from the onset of your thermography journey.

How is the baseline set?

Through the comparison of two sets of images with a lapse of time between them.

First set of images: Your first set of images is not a solid finding!  It is just the first step toward your baseline. During this first appointment your history is taken in conjunction with a set of images for a result and to begin establishing the first part of your baseline imaging toward your confirmed heat pattern.  Do you get a result? Yes, again, not a solid finding, but for sure a breast rating classification is assigned to each breast at this first imaging and certainly if there is anything seen that is concerning from the start, a directive will be given in your results that can help you with the next step.  However, many times the directive is to just simply be sure to return for the second baseline imaging. 

Second set of images: This appointment is set no less than 3 months from your first appointment (and ideally no more than 9 months from the first). The same imaging is taken and will then be used in comparison to the first to look for a comparable heat pattern.  Think of it this way, if someone takes your photo at Christmas, then takes your photo again on the 4^th of July, your face should be obviously you. It is the same with your heat patterning in the breast.  These two sets of comparable images should look the same when analyzed and be obviously uniquely you.  

Once the baseline is set

Here is where breast thermography becomes most effective.  With a comparable baseline set you move to annual screening. Each time you are imaged, your heat pattern should match your baseline. It is that simple. If there is any stray in temperatures seen it will be flagged as an "off baseline" result, and a directive is given in your report accordingly. But if from year to year your baseline holds without change, then there is no CHANGE OVER TIME to be concerned with in your breast health. 

What is the point here, and again, why True Breast Thermography?

Thermography imaging should be done by trained, certified technicians (ask for credentials!). Technicians cannot do interpretation on imaging, so a service must be utilized to do so. This service should be made up of board-certified doctors that are MD's or DO's that have been specifically trained in interpretation of digital infrared imaging.  Upon undertaking your first set of images and subsequently any thereafter, you should be asked to sign a consent form each time that states that the technician has permission to transmit your imaging and history to the interpretation service that will provide your results.  That interpretation service holds your screening history and not the technician! This is important because your baseline is used from year to year in comparison to any new imaging you have regardless of the technician that takes your images.  

The interpretation service that holds your baseline is the interpretation service that should review your screenings every year to compare your images to the baseline you created when you first started your thermography journey.  So, it is imperative that the interpretation service you start with is the one that continues to review your imaging from year to year, again, regardless of the technician or service that does the actual imaging. 

Here is where True Breast Thermography comes into play. How can you be sure that the same interpretation service you started with is the same interpretation service that will be utilized each time you screen?  Ask when you book!  

Technicians and imaging services can determine a move from an interpretation service at any time.  By doing so, it blocks out the ability to access or use your baseline imaging in comparison to any imaging you have with the new interpretation service.  Stating that there is the ability to review your set baseline with one service when jumping to a new service for interpretation is not true and a violation of your trust.  What you do not want is to be blindsided by a result from another interpretation service where your baseline has not been compared at all - if this occurs and if the report states that your baseline has been compared, it is fraudulent.  If there is a change in the interpretation service, the technician or imaging service must advise you in advance of this change, letting you know it will be necessary to establish a new baseline with the new interpretation service that they are using.  

If you move from your area or your technician or service is no longer in business, your baseline will still be with the interpretation service, and their name should be included in the letterhead of the results you have been given in the past.  If you have been imaged by a Meditherm camera system (the system used by Insight Holistic Imaging) in good standing on calibration, you can search for a new location for imaging on their website. If the same camera system is used, you have verified that the imaging service and technician are in good standing, and the same interpretation is utilized for results, you can be assured that your baseline will be compared when you image with them for the first time.  

If you have been imaged by another system, reach out to the interpretation service directly to obtain a directory of participating locations that can continue to screen you. For those imaged by a different camera system and interpretation service, you may want to consider researching a technician or imaging service with the same camera system before booking as you risk needing to reestablish a new baseline when changing systems.  

This may seem complicated, but the more you understand the preface of breast thermography in assessing if there is CHANGE OVER TIME in your heat patterning, the more you will understand how important your set original comparable baseline is to your thermography journey. An interruption in a switch from one interpretation service to another must always facilitate the need for a new baseline to be set regardless of whether your technician or imaging service is the same from year to year.  If you are told that a new baseline is not needed and a new interpretation service is utilized, that information is false and you should be aware of this situation. 

The Takeaway Here for True Breast Thermography is as Follows:

Always set a two-part baseline at the onset of your breast thermography journey.

Know the name of your interpretation service, not just the technician or service doing the imaging.

Ask for credentials from the technician taking your images to be sure they are trained and certified by the camera system they are using.

Be sure you sign a consent form each time you are screened that clearly shows the name of the interpretation service to be utilized for your results. Confirm it is the same name as the interpretation service that holds your baseline history. 

If you move, make sure you find a new technician or service that uses the same interpretation service that holds your baseline history in order to seamlessly continue your breast thermography screenings.