What Early Warning can Thermography provide?

 Cancer runs in my 43 year old wife's family-she has a yearly mammogram Personally. I recently had a prostectomy at age 68 for cancer followed by an IMRT treatment So far, PSA undetectable. Other types of cancer- like colon cancer- runs in both our families.Would like to know more about the early warning that thermography provides. J.M.

In response to the above question:
A thermogram is a window to the physiological action of the body. Fever is a ‘cardinal sign' of abnormal body function. Thermography is a picture of temperature information that is an indication of how the blood-flow control mechanisms – autonomic nervous system – are operating. The breast thermogram and a study of any other ‘region of interest' are combined with the presenting clinical picture, such as your medical history or current complaints.  Thermography can aid in ruling-out or supporting suspicions of dysfunction.

Breast thermography is a picture of hormone influence on the breast tissue.  Regional thermography relates to cutaneous (skin) referral zones from the nervous system. However cutaneous referral patterns are considered when any region of the body is being examined.

In the case of gastric or GI cancers, thermography could show changes along a dermal referral zone related to various organs. But a thermogram is not diagnostic – meaning it will not see into the body and offer information related to colon cancer. MRI, contrast CT and especially endoscopic exams of the colon are the better choice in diagnostics.

The role of thermography is supportive. In breast screening, we monitor for changes related to hormone influence and blood flow that can be associated with neo-vascular (new blood vessel formation) changes.  Breast thermography can offer a non-invasive way to monitor for changes suggestive of a problem. These changes can be monitored along with other structural studies that can be diagnostic (mammography, ultrasound, MRI – looking into the body for tissue changes). A change in blood flow, or chemical activity within the breast, can be an early indicator of a physiological shift. Early changes are not ‘time-specific'. A change for one woman can be years in advance of a diagnosed cancer. For another, the change is relatively fast. The type of breast cancer and the time from last structural exam (usually mammography) will rule-out the presence of current tumor formation. If a woman has not had a mammogram ever, then she must decide on some type of structural exam to get more information, especially to detect cancer before she can feel tissue changes.

A thermogram can help monitor for changes over time, from one time period to another, such as the initial thermogram to standard tumor doubling time of 150 days.  A thermal change in this window must be followed-up by your physician.  A thermal study will also help in determining if any treatment has been effective. This type of monitoring is done in both breast and body imaging. 

I would always use thermography to monitor breast changes. An initial thermogram, followed by a 3, 6 or 12 month study is an excellent baseline to monitor for changes. If an initial thermogram is abnormal, then a structural test is suggested. Viserosomatocutaneous reflexes will often display thermal signals that can support your feelings of dis-ease, as seen in referral points from appendicitis and biliary colic. But with body imaging – especially of uterus, ovaries and deep organs such as the prostate, often the thermal patterns can be normal if the autonomic system has worked toward balance or ‘homeostasis', even if disease if present.