If you have any thoughts/opinions you could add here, that would be great.
Thanks, Tammy
Posted by amberini (Member # 21281) on :
I had my first Thermography last summer and then the follow up 3 months later.
The first, I elected to have the complete upper body scan which showed several areas of inflammation but none in the breast area. Also, showed congested Lymph.
Second showed Lymph improvement.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
If something suspicious has already been detected on a mammogram, would thermography be definitive enough for use as follow up or would referral to mammogram be the next step anyway?
How soon are results available from thermography?
(Thanks Tammy for posting this thread--very important topic to learn more about!)
Posted by NanaDubo (Member # 14794) on :
I've been having thermography done for 4 years. I get the results in a few days and they are reviewed by an MD.
I personally would never have a mammogram and there is plenty of reading you can do as to why that is.
Thermography can pick things up years before a mammogram. You could also do ultra sound but most MDs will not order one without an accompanying mammogram.
My old PCP refused to look at my thermography results and "fired" me when I refused to have a mammogram.
I did two within 3 months the first year and one yearly since then. $130 out of pocket.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
up
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
I have also been interested in thermography. There is a place here that does it. Do you need a doctor to refer you to these places, or are they MD's that both do the scan and interpret it?
Posted by NanaDubo (Member # 14794) on :
The woman that does mine is a nurse and certified thermographer (something like that). She has been doing this long enough that she knows what she is looking for but the images are sent off to an MD who specializes in reading them.
There are a number of places near me that offer them and they all send them off for interpretation.
The images and report are mailed to me.
I make my appointments directly with her, haven't needed a referral.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Hi Six!
Most places I have checked with are similar to NanaDubo's. No prescription needed. (Although I am asking my doctor for one and will try to submit to insurance.)
From what I've heard Thermography can pick up on something 5-7 years before mammo. Of course there are nay-sayers, but I think that is expected, because a huge industry like this tries to keep the status quo and uses fear tactics, etc. to keep their stronghold.
For now, my plan is to do a Thermography and Ultra sound. If anything looks fishy, then I'll get a mammo, if necessary.
Heads Up -- most imaging centers will not do an ultra sound without the accompanying mammo. After some arm bending, I was able to make an appt. But the girl warned me that the doc will be pressuring me to do a mammo. I hate feeling like I have to be ready to do battle when all I want is a simple ultra sound.
Posted by imagine2 (Member # 3136) on :
I have switched from Mammograms to Thermagrams as I believe that "trouble" is picked up earlier, however, if anything suspicious at all is found on my Thermogram, I would also then elect to get a mammogram too.
Posted by FYRECRACKER (Member # 28568) on :
i agree, troubles as far as breast cancer are shown much sooner. a large majority of breast cancer lumps first show up in the pec area where mammograms can't detect.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Would your regular Women's Center at your hospital do thermography? I'm due for my mammogram, but not sure I can spend more to have the thermography done.
Posted by imagine2 (Member # 3136) on :
I'm not sure, Tutu. "Mainstream" usually "poo-poos" Thermography, but it would be worth a call.
A mainstream doc told me, however, that thermography is used for women with breast implants. I was shocked but delighted.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
Lymetoo - I have not found any mainstream radiology screening centers in my area that also offer Thermography. No one on the "status quo" side seems to want to open the door to it.
Posted by aMomWithHope (Member # 19255) on :
I asked the radiologist at a center that claims to be all about and just for women, and she didn't even know what I was talking about--had never heard of thermography--ugh!
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Tammy you are correct. I've known about thermography since at least 2000. The AMA will not give it credibility but will be happy to tear it down.
They are interested in keeping the status quo. It's all about politics and $$$$$.
Posted by minerva (Member # 20410) on :
this is on my radar as well. my cousin was just diagnosed with breast cancer.
she is a nurse and has regular mamo's. she found the lump and then they did a ultra sound and found two lumps both were not detected in her mamo.
what she told me after her research is if you are younger and the breast tissue is firmer or less fat it is denser and harder to detect a mass.
if you have small breasts it is also harder to detect.
i don't know how i feel about getting a mamo esp with my cousins experience plus there is the extra radiation i am not intrested in getting. i am very small breasted.
i planned to ask my doc for a ulta sound test because i have an area in my chest near my breast plate that is always sore ... for years.
its probably due to rib desplacement, ive ignored it for years but i am getting concerned about it. but now that i am hearing from you folks they won't do it without a mamo i am disappointed.