Questions and Answers

Question:  Is infrared imaging better than a mammogram?

 

Answer:  Yes and No.  Since there is no radiation (X-Ray), there are no adverse biological effects from infrared imaging.  From this standpoint, IR imaging is better for your overall health than mammograms.

 

From a screening standpoint, IR isn’t better or worse, it is different.  A mammogram shows anatomy (existing tumors) while the thermogram shows physiology (angiogenesis).  A comparison of the two tests isn’t a logical qualitative analysis.  Both procedures have pros and cons, but they aren’t comparable as the information obtained doesn’t show similar biological or physiological process. 

 

IR isn’t an alternative to traditional methods.  Rather, it is an adjunct to traditional methods.  In other words, IR isn’t “instead of”, it is “in addition to”. 

Question:  Is infrared imaging safe?

 

Answer:  Completely.  It is non-invasive and there are no adverse biological affects.  There is no radiation, no injections, no contact and no compression.  Breast condition (size, age, augmentation, density, etc.) has no affect on the outcome or quality of the image. 

Question:  Can an infrared image show cancer?

 

Answer:  No.  There are no remote sensing methods (X-Ray, MRI, Ultrasound, CT or PET Scan, etc.) that can show cancer.  Only a tissue sample can confirm or deny the presence of cancer.  Infrared imaging can show increased vascular activity that is associated with active cancer cells.

Question:  Are there other uses for infrared imaging?

 

Answer:  Yes.  Infrared imaging can be used for monitoring and adjunctively screening for such conditions as Melanoma, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, vascular disease, diabetic vascular conditions, chiropractic conditions, physical therapy progression, and other conditions where vascular activity is affected by injury or disease.  Research projects for uses in prostate cancer screening, ovarian and uterine cancer screening, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and aneurism, and neuromuscular conditions are either planned or being conducted.

Question:  How long does the imaging process take?

 

Answer:  In most cases, the entire process takes about 30 minutes.  Infrared imaging can’t see through clothes.  The area to be imaged has to acclimate or normalize to room temperature which takes about 15 minutes.  The area has to be fully exposed to the room temperature for acclimation and imaging.  The actual imaging time is approximately 10 minutes depending on the number of images required.  A normal breast series takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.

 

You will receive copies of your images and a report of findings about 10 days after the imaging session.

Question:  My doctor is reluctant to use infrared imaging.  Why?

 

Answer:  Most doctors and many major medical organizations (AMA, ACS, etc.) aren’t familiar with recent studies that confirm the benefits of infrared.  The most popular response is that infrared produces a high rate of false positives.  Contrary to this misinformation, infrared has a lower false positive and false negative rate than mammography.

 

Infrared:                False Positive Rate:  10%       False Negative Rate:  10%

Mammography:     False Positive Rate:   25%      False Negative Rate:  20%

 

The false negative rate for mammography in women under 50 is 40%

 

Sources:   1997-2000 Index Medicus – ACS, NEJM, JNCI,  J Breast  /  1980-1986 Index Medicus – Cancer, AJOG, Thermology  /  1996 Text – Atlas of Mammography: New Early Signs in Breast Cancer  /     1982 Text – Biomedical Thermology

 

And unfortunately, money plays a large role in the infrared acceptance issue.  Infrared is an inexpensive procedure viewed as a financial threat to the traditional main stream medical environment.

Question:  What if I don’t have insurance or my insurance doesn’t cover infrared imaging?

 

Answer:  If you don’t have insurance and can’t afford the screening we’ll provide our screening service to you at minimal or no cost.  Our relationship with New Health Frontiers Foundation will provide for scans.

 

If you have insurance we will deal with your insurance company.  All you pay is your normal co-pay.  If the claim is denied we will deal with the arbitration of the claim.