My First Thermographic Experience

I had been a bit nervous all day wondering what my thermogram procedure would entail. Would I need to undress completely? Would I be given one of those paper gowns that opens in the front and barely covers me? Would there be any heat coming out of the camera? I had been avoiding a mammogram after reading the latest information about the risks associated with X-ray; knowing that I was potentially putting myself at greater risk by not taking charge of my health. It was my massage therapist who told me about thermography as an adjunctive tool for breast cancer screening and now I find myself lost in my thoughts as I am driving to my thermographic appointment.

As I entered the lobby, I noticed that the temperature was cool and refreshing. The paintings on the wall were bright and cheerful with many colors that caught my eye. I felt at ease right away.

I was quickly greeted by the thermographer. She guided me to her office and there I felt all the tension melt away. She showed me around the office explaining the need for a cool temperature and allowing me to browse her collection of literature, leaflets, handouts and brochures. It smelled like my grandmother's garden in the spring. Just a hint of orange blossom, honeysuckle, green apple all mixed with a light touch of rain forest greeted my nose. The plants were lush and healthy and soft music was playing in the background. The lights were dim and I could almost imagine myself back in grandma's Arizona room.

The thermographer asked if I had any questions and of course I said no, trying to show her that I was calm, relaxed and not a bit nervous. She smiled knowingly and asked me to please step behind the room divider and change into a robe she set out for me. The robes were soft cotton and tied in the front. She then asked that I fill out the paperwork. She explained that I would need to do my best to keep my arms away from the side of my body so I could cool down and she could get a more accurate image. She then read over my information and asked me questions about my health in general and specifically breast health. All the while, I was grateful for the full coverage of the cool, cotton robe and remembered to keep my arms away from my body.

Next, I moved to the scanning area where I was shown the six different positions required for the scan. She then asked me to sit on the stool and turn my back to her. At this point, she asked me to drop my gown. I was told to keep my hands on my waist while she took my thermal picture. I learned that it usually takes 12-15 minutes for the temperature of my skin to come to equilibrium with the temperature of the room. Once my temperature stabilized, the scanning began. During the scan, she asked that I raise my hands above my head and remain still; allowing me to rest my hands back on my waist between the different poses. The camera did not emit any heat and never touched my body. The total scan time was about 5 minutes.

Once we were done, I changed back into my clothes and thanked the technician for a soothing and comforting experience. Before I left the office, I picked up a few of the breast health brochures to share with my family, friends and colleagues.

Thermographic screening is not covered by most insurance companies but is surprisingly affordable for most people. For more information or to find a certified clinic in your area, go to www.proactivehealthonline.com.

Brenda Witt is co-owner of Proactive Health Solutions in Southern California. She is an American College of Clinical Thermology (ACCT) certified thermographer in the Orange County area.

---

My First Thermographic Experience

I had been a bit nervous all day wondering what... Read More

New Advances In Early Breast Cancer Detection

In November 2003, the American Cancer Society stated that breast... Read More

Gift Giving for Breast Cancer Patients and Their Families

Did you know that each year, 182,000 women are diagnosed... Read More

Breast Cancer The Cure

You have my permission to publish this article electronically or... Read More

Mammogram and Breast Cancer Screening

Cancer screening The term screening is commonly used for a... Read More

Finding the Spirit - Identifying the Enemy

In the daily fight for survival our vision is blurred... Read More

New Hope to Prevent Breast Cancer: What Every Woman Needs to Know

In March, 2005, a major nutritional breakthrough in the fight... Read More

Early Breast Cancer Detection

Most women are familiar with mammography as our "gold standard"... Read More

Recommendations For Early Breast Cancer Screening

Women need to empower themselves about the benefits and risks... Read More

Do You Know Some Nutrients Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer today is one of the most threatening conditions... Read More

Your Risk of Cancer Can Increase With Weight Gain!

We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More

Finding Your Spiritual Strength in the Midst of Your Emotional Turmoil

There were so many emotions that I experienced in 2003... Read More

Naural Self-Defense Against Breast Cancer - Learning to Cope Successfully with Organochlorine Pollut

What are organochlorines?Organochlorines are chemicals found in some herbicides and... Read More

Breast Cancer

In December of 2001, breast cancer was the furthest thing... Read More

A Tool for Early Breast Cancer Screening

Who isn't familiar with the expression, "early detection is the... Read More

Breast Cancer for Beginners

Introduction Because of the social changes, which has brought increased... Read More

Fourteen Simple Things You Can Do To Reduce Your Risk for Breast Cancer

1. Increase your consumption of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables.2.... Read More

Early Detection And Breast Cancer

It is generally accepted that by the time a cancer... Read More

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More

Passive Smokers Can Get Breast Cancer! Learn How?

US scientists have claimed that secondhand smokers are at higher... Read More

Breast Cancer Detection Unit for the Home

Detecting Breast Cancer early is a key step in protecting... Read More

The News You Dont Want To Hear: Youve Got Breast Cancer

For many people being told that they have cancer is... Read More

Screening For Breast Cancer With No Compression And No Radiation

Who would have thought that a technology for detecting breast... Read More

Antiperspirants And Breast Cancer

Most underarm antiperspirants contain as the active ingredient, Aluminium Chlorohydrate,... Read More

Breast Cancer Screening

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer women face... Read More

Breast Cancer - 101

The cancer is a term for diseases in which abnormal... Read More

Lets Start Screening For Breast Health

In the United States, American women are told to begin... Read More

The Insidiousness of Breast Cancer and Its Current Treatment

In our modern world, the benefits that today's manufacturing and... Read More

Are Obese Women Getting Short-Changed By Chemotherapy Treatments?

How much chemotherapy does an obese woman need? Typically an... Read More

Mammograms Are No Joke - They Can Save Lives!

There are so many jokes about mammograms! Have you heard... Read More

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging In Medical Therapy

Digital technology now makes Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging available to... Read More

Breast Cancer Awareness and Prevention Tips

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Men and women can... Read More

Breast Cancer Statistics ? How Breast Cancer Survival Rates Increased 50%

Breast cancer statistics show that over 1.2 million persons will... Read More