Picture Your Health-FAQ

How does clinical thermography differ from other screenings?

Clinical thermography is a screening of physiology (i.e. the body’s function) as opposed to a screening of anatomy (i.e. the body’s structure). For example: with breast cancer screenings, the structure of a “lump” can be shown with mammograms and sonograms. Thermography shows the function of angiogenesis (i.e. the activity that occurs when new veins form to feed a malignancy). Early stages of angiogenesis occur as many as ten years before a structural lump is large enough to be detected by structural tests or breast self exam.

How does thermography work?

The human body is an almost perfect emitter of infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is emitted through the skin’s pores. The thermography camera collects your body’s thermal emissions and creates an image called a thermogram. A thermogram is basically a map of your body’s thermal patterns that indicate health or illness.

What are the most common uses of clinical thermography?

Clinical thermography is most commonly used as a breast cancer screening tool. However, screenings range from specific regions of interest to full body screenings. As a screening of function, thermography shows the reactions your body is having to a condition that is present. Inflammation is a common example of a functional reaction. Thermography is the only technology that images inflammation. Since so many illnesses are chronic-inflammation based, thermography is an excellent indicator of early-stage, unknown or unidentified illness. Some conditions commonly indicated by clinical thermography are: thyroid problems, carotid artery occlusion, patterns indicating elevated C-Reactive Protein levels, diabetes, cardiac dysfunction, arthritis, carpal tunnel, TMJ, etc. (the list is extensive). NOTE: Thermography is high in sensitivity and low in specificity. For example, thermography can show patterns heart dysfunction indicating the need for further testing. Further testing is needed to identify the specific heart condition.

Can thermography replace colonoscopy?

No. Although, thermography could show signs of colon cancer, it would not be the earliest detector. Colonoscopy can detect pre-cancerous polyps. (i.e. growths that have no associated function).

What are Picture Health screenings and prices?

NOTE: Pricing is all-inclusive (screening, doctor’s interpretation, mailings). There are no hidden fees.

Initial or Annual Breast Screening: $195.00
3-Month Follow-Up Breast Screening: $155.00
Region of Interest: $195.00
Women’s Wellness (breast, thyroid/carotid, abdomen): $295.00
3-Month Follow-Up Breast Screening w/ Women’s Wellness: $155.00
Half Body: $295.00
Full Body $500.00
3-Month Follow-Up Breast Screening w/ Full Body: $100.00

Is clinical thermography a replacement for mammography?

No. Thermography vs. mammography is an “apples and oranges” comparison. Breast thermography is a breast cancer screening option. It is not a replacement for mammography. ” On the other hand, there are many women (and men) for whom mammography is either inconclusive or not desired. Some breast tissue is so dense or cystic or fibrocystic that accurate readings of mammograms and ultrasound can be difficult to impossible. Because clinical thermography uses no radiation and no pressure, it is 100% safe and 100% pain-free. There is no contact with the equipment.

NOTE: Individually breast thermography and mammography are about 84% accurate in detecting breast health. Ideally a functional screening (thermography) and a structural screening (e.g. ultrasound, mammography, etc.) are used adjunctively. With both a structural and functional look at breast tissue, the rate of accuracy jumps from 84% to above 95% accuracy.

Can women with implants have breast thermography?

Yes! Again, because thermography is a screening of function and not form, the implant structures do not interfere with the thermal patterns.

What can thermography miss?

Thermography can miss encapsulated or inactive cancers. Since thermography is a screening of function, an inactive cancer (i.e. a cancer without function) has no function for the camera to detect. Sometimes there can be other indicators of an encapsulated tumor but it is possible for an inactive cancer to go undetected by thermography. That is why it is good to balance functional and structural screenings. There is a growing trend toward the use of thermography and sonograms/ultrasound to balance structural and functional breast screenings. Neither screening uses radiation or pressure.

Do you need to establish a baseline with breast thermography?

Yes. The standard way of establishing a thermographic baseline is to have an initial screening and a 3-month follow-up. (See Picture Your Health pricing above. Picture Your Health clients have up to 6 months to receive the discounted 3-month follow-up pricing). Although, the initial screening gives a very good indication of breast health, the close follow-up gives a better idea of active change that could give the best early detection of abnormality. Once a baseline is established, one annual screening is recommended.

What equipment does Picture Your Health use?

Picture Your Health® uses Meditherm cameras, specifically designed for medical screenings. At this time, Meditherm cameras are the only FDA-registered thermography cameras. There are some older thermography cameras in use that are not FDA-registered and not specifically designed for medical screenings.

Who does the screening and interpretation?

Picture Your Health® uses only Certified Clinical Thermographers for screenings. Picture Your Health® requires all interpretations to be done by ACCT-accredited medical doctors.

How long does it take to get results?

Typically you will receive your results by mail in one week to ten days (frequently much sooner). If results are needed within 24 hours, there is a $25.00 urgent interpretation fee.

Will my health professional understand the results?
The reports are straight forward and in a standard medical format, if the client’s health professional needs any clarification, please ask the health professional to contact the thermographer or the interpreting thermologist. (Please note that the thermologist cannot consult directly with the client, but a consultation between the thermologist and the client’s health practitioner is permissible.

Does it matter what time during the menstrual cycle the test is performed?

No. Any hormonal changes are systemic and do not alter the temperature differentials or patterns.

If there is a suspcious finding, what should I do?

The report will recommend if the client should seek further investigation and what follow-up should be done. The information given in the report will be useful to the client's health professional in the decision making process. It is the client's own health professional who must advise on additional testing and clinical evaluation of any suspicious findings.

Picture Your Health™, LLC • 512-330-0266 • DITI@PictureYourHealth.com