FAQ

Breast Thermography is a risk assessment process that uses an infrared (heat sensing) camera to detect heat variations in the breasts. Because infection, inflammation, fibrocystic and fibroglandular tissue, and breast cancer can cause excess blood in the breast tissue, thermography can detect these areas before any other type of breast screening. These patterns can indicate a risk for breast cancer, either now or in the future. 

Absolutely not! While locating these areas can aid in the early detection of breast cancer and inflammatory breast disease, more often these areas indicate unhealthy tissue, infection, stagnant lymphatic flow, cyst activity, inflammation, an injury, scar tissue, fibrocystic or fibroglandular tissue, or a hormonal imbalance.

Many of our patients have cleared up their thermograms by adopting some simple lifestyle habits. We provide you with a copy of our Breast Health Tips during your appointment and discuss how to implement them. Once you have used these Breast Health Tips for a period of time, we recommend that you have a comparison scan to note any changes, as most patients who commit to these proactive breast health tips experience an improved temperatures on their follow-up scan. You may also choose to work one to one with a preventive health care practitioner who specializes in breast health (we have referrals for clients in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino Counties).

Yes! It is contact-, radiation- and pain-free, and was FDA approved in 1982 as an adjunctive screening. It is safe for the following women: 20 years or older, pregnant or lactating, those who have implants or have had reduction or other surgery and women who have already had cancer, especially those who have had a mastectomy. The process is as easy as having your photo taken.

Unfortunately, western medicine has thousands of diagnostic codes, and even 57 for various breast tests, but none for thermography. For this reason, insurance usually doesn’t reimburse for thermal imaging.

Depending on the center you visit, infrared breast scans can range from $175-$350. At our center, the initial scan is $250. We ask for payment in full using check, cash, credit, debit or health savings card at the time of the visit. (We do offer a 60-day payment plan to anyone who needs it.)

At our center, the cost includes the initial consultation, lab procedure, 2-page written report from our interpretive Thermologist, 7 breast images that include black and white and color, a report guide, our local practitioner referral list, and on-going education, empowerment and support.

We focus on breast wellness and prevention. Our mission is to see patients before there is a serious issue to deal with. This gives us the opportunity to empower them with simple actions they can take immediately, to either improve their breast health, or maintain their breast wellness. We also offer a comprehensive 1-hour initial appointment where we ask detailed questions about a client’s history and lifestyle, and discuss the five types of breast screenings available today. Each client can also view her images the same day, although the official written report takes about two weeks to obtain.

Once we have received that report, we email it to the client while we are on the phone with them, and carefully review it with them so they can ask questions and understand the information. We are completely committed to customer care, and will do everything possible to support our patients throughout their lives. Remember, before choosing a center, make sure that the technicians and the interpretive Thermologist are Board Certified! This is to ensure that your scan and interpretation will be performed by highly trained personnel who follow the standards and protocols required for accuracy.

Prior to your appointment, we will email you all the necessary paperwork. Most of these forms can be completed prior to your visit, and you will bring all of them with you. Once at our office, we will review the paperwork for accuracy, then you will be asked to acclimate, bare from the waist up, in a cool room for 15 minutes. This allows your skin temperature to cool down, so that your scan will be as accurate as possible. Once the acclimation period has passed, the actual photographs take only a few more minutes. Once the technician has captured all 7 views, you will get dressed, and she will offer to show you the images to see areas that the thermologist will inspect on your scan. The entire first visit is usually completed within one hour.

We are happy to answer any questions via email or telephone: you can contact us via e-mail info@thermography-sc.com or by phone at 707-655-5880. You may also want to Google: Breast Thermography to see a variety of websites, including Dr. Mercola, Dr. Christiane Northrop and others who endorse and provide information about breast thermal imaging.

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