women have extremely dense breast tissue . Texas passed a law requiring mammography providers to inform women that mammography is not an adequate screen for women with dense breast tissue . Dense breasts also make it more difficult for the radiologist to detect cancer on a mammogram . “ Dense tissue appears white on a mammogram . Lumps also appear white , so they can be very difficult to differentiate . Mammograms can be less accurate in women with dense breasts .” Since women of a certain age need regular screening it would behoove health professionals to resolve this conflict and find alternative , less risky methods to regularly screen women for breast cancer . Some women are choosing to turn to a diagnostic tool called digital infrared thermal imaging ( DITI ), also known as thermography , as an early breast cancer-screening tool . According to the site BreastThermography . com , “ Because of thermography ’ s unique ability to image the thermovascular aspects of the breast , extremely early warning signals have been observed in long-term studies . Consequently , thermography is the earliest known risk indicator for the future development of breast cancer . It is for this reason that an abnormal infrared image is the single most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer . Thus , thermography has a significant place as one of the major front-line methods of breast cancer detection .” This non-invasive , radiation-free infrared technology can identify changes in the breasts and surrounding tissues by identifying unusual blood vessel and heat signatures , which accompany cancerous and pre-cancerous growth . Proponents say that this technology can detect early changes as soon as 8-10 years before they become full blown cancer identifiable by mammography , even in dense breast tissue . According to the authors of the above-mentioned site , “ Studies show that the earliest detection is realized when multiple tests are used together . This multimodal approach includes breast selfexaminations , physical breast exams by a doctor , mammography , ultrasound , MRI , thermography , and other tests that may be ordered by your doctor .” Since thermography ’ s 1982 approval by the FDA , the government agency issued a warning in 2011 that thermography itself is not diagnostic on its own for breast cancer : “ The FDA is not aware of any valid scientific data to show that thermographic devices , when used on their own , are an effective screening tool for any medical condition including the early detection of breast cancer or other breast disease .” Though the FDA has said thermography on it ’ s own is not diagnostic for breast cancer , which present day proponents of thermography seem to agree with , it seems that the FDA is saying that it is a useful tool in conjunction with other confirmatory methods such as MRI , ultrasound , mammography , and other breast cancer diagnosis methods . According to thermography proponents and the vast majotity of over 800 published studies , the technology appears to be an excellent early warning tool that can identify signals which are consistent with breast cancer and pre-breast cancer states . The website listed below has references and sites over 64 of these peer reviewed studies : www . breastthermography . com / infrared _ imaging _ review . htm . A 2008 study published in the American Journal of Surgical Effectiveness , entitled “ Effectiveness of Digital Infrared Thermography in the Detection of Breast Cancer ,” stated that “ Sixty of 94 biopsies were malignant and 34 were benign . DITI
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identified 58 of 60 malignancies , with 97 % sensitivity , 44 % specificity , and 82 % negative predictive value depending on the mode used .” Those are pretty good statistics for any diagnostic procedure and certainly better than mammography in terms of sensitivity . In future scenarios it is hoped that thermography could be used in some manner as a tool that would decrease the amount of radiation exposure that is presently being recommended with annual and biennial mammographies for women over 45 . In many medical practices , insurance coverage often dictates what a physician prescribes and many physicians won ’ t offer a test if they think insurance won ’ t cover it . Thermography is not offered in most medical offices , but some practitioners are opening up to it . There are numerous thermography centers in Iowa and many other Midwestern cities such as Madison , WI for which a woman can self-refer . A simple Internet search of “ thermography in Iowa ” turned up five centers within an hour and a half of Dubuque . Thermography is not covered by insurance , but is inexpensive – about $ 150- $ 300 – considering the information it provides . ❖
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