Recommendations For Early Breast Cancer Screening

Women need to empower themselves about the benefits and risks of mammography and examine the additional screening tools available today. One current philosophy suggests breast health screening should begin at age 25. Where does this recommendation come from and why is this valid?

For MOST women, the recommendation for annual breast cancer screening begins at the age of 40. Unfortunately, the American Cancer Society stated that the number one cause of death in women between the ages of 40-44 is breast cancer. So what does this mean for women? It means that we screen at age 40 and potentially find tumors that have been growing for an estimated 8-10 years. Mammography, like most conventional tests, evaluates structure.

There exists a technology that can detect an issue YEARS before a tumor can be seen on X-ray or palpated during an exam. This technology has been approved by the FDA as an adjunctive screening tool since 1982 and offers NO RADIATION, NO COMPRESSION AND NO PAIN. For women who are refusing to have a mammogram or those who want clinical correlation for an existing problem, digital infrared thermal imaging may be of interest.

There are very strict protocols both for testing and interpreting. Perhaps due to these guidelines, thermography (as with all digital technology) has exploded in its technique and capabilities. Thermal cameras detect heat emitted from the body and display it as a picture on a computer monitor. These images are unique to the person and remain stable over time. It is because of these characteristics that thermal imaging is a valuable and effective screening tool. Tumors or other breast diseases measures warmer than surrounding tissue and can thereby alert a physician to a problem before a tumor is actually palpable.

Medical doctors who interpret the breast scans are board certified and endure an additional two years of training to qualify as a thermologist. Thermography is not limited by breast density and is ideal for women who have had cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. It is recommended that since cancer typically has a 15 year life span from onset to death, women begin thermographic screenings at age 25. As previously mentioned, the number one killer of women ages 40-44 is breast cancer. Therefore, a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 possibly had the cancer as early as age 30. Since most women do not have a mammogram until age 40, there is a critical time period from age 25 to 39 that thermography could be especially beneficial. Thermography, because it analyzes function, may identify a problem years earlier. DITI may allow women time and opportunity to support their immune system, change their lifestyle and give their body the best chance to alter their fate.

By combining both technologies, the detection rate increases to 95-98%, surpassing either technology as a stand-alone therapy. Thermography, like mammography, is a personal choice for women. This decision ideally should be made in collaboration between you and your physician. However, thermography does not require a physician's order.

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.

ChattahBox
5 easy steps of breast self-exams
Jamaica Gleaner, Jamaica - 4 hours ago
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As such, it only seems fitting to highlight the importance for women to know how to examine their breasts ...
Sales of half-price shoes will benefit breast cancer research Arizona Daily Star
Pink Light Walk: Raising awareness of breast cancer Pocono Record
Jacquielynn Floyd: Panic has no place in life of breast cancer ... Dallas Morning News
guardian.co.uk - WMGMall 76 news articles

Birth size linked to breast cancer risk
The Punch, Nigeria - 11 hours ago
By Agency Reporter Women who are heavier and longer at birth are at increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life, British researchers report. ...
Albany clinic receives cancer study grant WALB-TV
Emory research center awards grant to Albany clinic Albany Herald On-line
all 3 news articles

Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health
MarketWatch - 19 hours ago
In honor of this, Lifespring Health is having a promotion to support breast cancer awareness and throughout the entire month, they will donate $5 to the ...
DietsInReview.com kicks off breast cancer awareness month ... PR.com (press release)
Exercise and breast cancer Chambersburg Public Opinion
all 9 news articles

Canada.com
Headache remedy may defend from breast cancer
Canada.com, Canada - Oct 9, 2008
Women taking certain medications for aches and pains may be getting a surprise bonus -- protection against breast cancer. ...
NSAIDs May Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer Cancer Consultants
NSAIDs Might Lower Breast Cancer Risk Washington Post
Events Planned Across America For Breast Cancer Awareness Month Chatter Shmatter
Inventorspot - SkinInc.comall 130 news articles

Breast cancer survivor speaks out
Jackson Sun, TN - 1 hour ago
By TRACIE SIMER It's possible for every woman to live through breast cancer and move on, said Taffy Anderson, a gynecologist from Philadelphia. ...
Female High School Seniors, Their Mothers, Others May Tour Women's ... Greeneville Sun
all 2 news articles

Walgreens offers gift card during breast cancer month
Belleville News Democrat,  USA - 3 hours ago
Women who sign up for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program during October can receive a Walgreens gift card. October is Breast Cancer Awareness ...
Initiative encourages cancer tests Peoria Journal Star
Gift cards exchanged for cancer screenings WJBC News
Low-income women may be eligible for ABC7Chicago.com
all 6 news articles

Incipio Continues to Support the Fight Against Breast Cancer
PR Web (press release), WA - 4 hours ago
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except for non-melanoma skin cancers. In her lifetime, one in eight women will be diagnosed with ...

TV Guide
Applegate hid breast cancer diagnosis
Digital Spy, UK - 4 hours ago
By Michael Thornton Christina Applegate has revealed that she hid her breast cancer diagnosis and double mastectomy from the cast and crew of her sitcom ...
Christina Applegate Shares Reason For Being On This Earth During ... AHN
Christina Applegate kept cancer diagnosis a secret Reuters Canada
Today's News: Our Take - Christina Applegate Is Rarin' to Hug Again Seattle Post Intelligencer
O Globo Online - E! Onlineall 30 news articles

U-M Health System News
TINA STEVENS:Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month with facts
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS - Oct 10, 2008
The causes of breast cancer are not fully understood. Because no one knows exactly what causes breast cancer, there are no sure ways to prevent it. ...
Breast Cancer Patients Experience a Faster Return to Normal Life MarketWatch
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month Estes Park Trail Gazette
Report symptoms of breast cancer promptly Joy Online
The Fort Gordon Signal - Newswise (press release)all 33 news articles

Times Online
Breast cancer: The Diep operation to repair breasts after a mastectomy
Times Online, UK - 14 hours ago
The former nurse had breast cancer diagnosed in 2005 after a routine mammogram. Doctors told her that the cancer was too widespread for a lumpectomy (the ...

Mammograms Are No Joke - They Can Save Lives!

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

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging In Medical Therapy

Digital technology now makes Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging available to all. There now is a... Read More

Breast Cancer for Beginners

Introduction Because of the social changes, which has brought increased number of workingwoman and hence... Read More

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

For many people being told that they have cancer is one of the most stressful... Read More

Mammogram and Breast Cancer Screening

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

Do You Know Some Nutrients Help Prevent Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer today is one of the most threatening conditions that a woman might have.... Read More

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

In March, 2005, a major nutritional breakthrough in the fight against breast cancer was announced... 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. Avoid using any pesticides or... Read More

New Advances In Early Breast Cancer Detection

In November 2003, the American Cancer Society stated that breast cancer is the leading cause... Read More

Can You Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer?

We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health. Few people however, realize the... Read More