Your Partner In Health Care For the 21st Century
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DITI's role in breast cancer and other breast
disorders is to help in early detection and
monitoring of abnormal physiology and the
establishment of risk factors for the
development or existence of cancer. When
used with other procedures the best
possible evaluation of breast health is made.
disorders is to help in early detection and
monitoring of abnormal physiology and the
establishment of risk factors for the
development or existence of cancer. When
used with other procedures the best
possible evaluation of breast health is made.
DETECTING PAIN AND INJURIES
This is a patient that presented to us with
chronic shoulder and arm pain. His MRI
and X-Ray found no problem a surgeon
could help. They gave him no real
solutions except for long term pain pills.
Then he came for a DITI. You can
visually see the white spots that indicate
exactly where the inflammation is coming
from. After this imaging, we were able to
work on the exact problems and give him
permanent relief using our advanced
equipment here at The Genesis Center.
chronic shoulder and arm pain. His MRI
and X-Ray found no problem a surgeon
could help. They gave him no real
solutions except for long term pain pills.
Then he came for a DITI. You can
visually see the white spots that indicate
exactly where the inflammation is coming
from. After this imaging, we were able to
work on the exact problems and give him
permanent relief using our advanced
equipment here at The Genesis Center.
Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging for Identifying Injuries and Early Detection of Breast Cancer What is Infrared Imaging? Digital infrared thermal imaging is a totally non-invasive clinical imaging procedure for detecting and monitoring a number of diseases and physical injuries, by showing the thermal abnormalities present in the body. It is used as an aid for diagnosis and prognosis, as well as monitoring therapy progress, within many clinical fields, including: Neurology Rheumatology Oncology Chiropractic Physiotherapy Sports Medicine Dentistry Pediatrics Breast Health Orthopedics Procedure: Unlike most diagnostic tests D.I.T.I. is non invasive and there are no risks or side effects. Images or "Thermograms" can be taken of the whole body or just areas being investigated. The digitized images are stored on a computer and can be sent electronically to a Thermologist (thermal imaging specialist) for further evaluation and reporting. Your report is color printed and a copy can also be sent to your healthcare professional. Breast Thermography Breast thermography is a diagnostic imaging procedure to aid in the early detection of breast cancer. This procedure is based on the principle that chemical and blood vessel activity in both pre-cancerous tissue and the area surrounding a developing breast cancer is almost always higher than in the normal breast. Since pre-cancerous and cancerous masses are highly metabolic tissues, they need an abundant supply of nutrients to maintain their growth. In order to do this they increase circulation to their cells by sending out chemicals to keep existing blood vessels open, recruit dormant vessels, and create new ones (neoangiogenesis). This process results in an increase in regional surface temperatures of the breast. State-of-the-art breast thermography uses ultra-sensitive infrared cameras and sophisticated computers to detect, analyze, and produce high-resolution diagnostic images of these temperature and vascular changes. This procedure is both comfortable and safe. There is no use of radiation or compression. By carefully examining changes in the temperature and blood vessels of the breasts, signs of possible cancer or pre-cancerous cell growth may be detected up to 10 years prior to being discovered using any other procedure. This provides for the earliest detection of cancer possible. Because of breast thermography's extreme sensitivity, these temperature variations and vascular changes may be among the earliest signs of breast cancer and/or a pre-cancerous state of the breast. (3,6,7,8,9) Breast thermography has been researched for over 30 years, and over 800 peer-reviewed breast thermography studies exist. In this data base well over 250,000 women have been included as study participants. The numbers of participants in many studies are very large ranging from 37,000 to 118,000 women. Some of these studies have followed patients up to 12 years. Breast thermography has an average sensitivity and specificity of 90%. This means there is a 10% chance pathology being missed. Studies show that:
Just as unique as a fingerprint, each patient has a particular infrared map of their breasts. Any modification of this infrared map on serial imaging (images taken over months to years) can constitute an early sign of an abnormality. In patients without cancer, the examination results are used to indicate the level of possible future cancer risk (4, 5). Consequently, in the absence of other positive tests, an abnormal infrared image gives a woman an early warning. By maintaining close monitoring of her breast health with serial infrared imaging, self breast exams, clinical examinations, and other tests, a woman has a much better chance of detecting cancer at its earliest stage and preventing invasive tumor growth. Breast thermography's ability to detect a pre-cancerous state of the breast, or signs of cancer at an extremely early stage lies in its unique capability of monitoring the temperature variations and blood vessel alterations produced by the earliest changes in tissue physiology (function) (3,6,7,8,9). However, thermography does not have the ability to pinpoint the location of a tumor. Consequently, breast thermography's role is in addition to mammography or ultrasound and physical examination, not in lieu of. Breast thermography does not replace mammography or ultrasound and mammography or ultrasound does not replace breast thermography. These diagnostic tests complement each other. Since it has been determined that 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer, we must use every means possible to detect cancers when there is the greatest chance for survival (1). Proper use of breast self- exams, physician exams, thermography, mammography and ultrasound together provide the earliest detection system available to date (3, 7, 8, 9). If treated in the earliest stages, cure rates greater than 95% are possible (3, 6). The addition of breast thermography to the frontline of early breast cancer detection brings a great deal of good news for women. All patients thermograms (breast images) are kept on record and form a baseline for all future routine evaluations. Increase your chances of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages. Current Early Detection Guidelines One day there may be a single method for the early detection of breast cancer. Until then, using a combination of methods will increase your chances of detecting cancer in an early stage. These methods include : Mammography, when considered appropriate for women who are aged 50 or older. Regular DITI screening for women of all ages. A regular breast examination by a health professional. Monthly breast self‑examination. Personal awareness for changes in the breasts. Readiness to discuss quickly any such changes with a doctor. These guidelines should be considered along with your background and medical history. It takes years for a tumor to grow, and the earliest possible indication of abnormality is needed to allow for the earliest possible treatment and intervention. Who? DITI is especially appropriate for younger women between 30 & 50 whose denser breast tissue makes it more difficult for mammography to pick up suspicious lesions. This test can provide a "clinical marker" to the doctor or mammographer that a specific area of the breast needs particularly close examination. Breast cancers tend to grow significantly faster in younger women under 50: YOUR AGE AVERAGE TUMOR DOUBLING TIME Under 50 --- 80 days Age 50 - 70 --- 157 days Over Age 70 --- 188 days Source: Cancer 71:3547-3551, 1993 The faster a malignant tumor grows, the more Infrared radiation it generates. For younger women in particular, results from DITI screening can lead to earlier detection and ultimately, better survival rates. Take Responsibility for your own Breast Health Doctors do not yet know how to prevent breast cancer. However you can increase your chances of detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages by understanding the need for, and participating in an early detection program. Only about 20 percent of biopsied breast lumps are cancerous. And, if cancer is found early, there are choices for treatment. With prompt treatment, the outlook is good. In fact, most women treated for early breast cancer will be free from breast cancer for the rest of their lives. Regular DITI screening can provide an early alert for possible referral to mammography, sonography, or MR1 to improve early detection by your doctor. References 1. American Cancer Society – Breast Cancer Guidelines and Statistics, 1999 2. I. Nyirjesy, M.D. et al; Clinical Evaluation, Mammography and Thermography in the Diagnosis of Breast Carcinoma. Thermology, 1986; 1: 170-173. 3. M. Gautherie, Ph.D.; Thermobiological Assessment of Benign and Malignant Breast Diseases. Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol., 1983; V 147, No. 8: 861-869. 4. C. Gros, M.D., M. Gautherie, Ph.D.; Breast Thermography and Cancer Risk Prediction. Cancer, 1980; V 45, No. 1: 51-56. 5. P. Haehnel, M.D., M. Gautherie, Ph.D. et al; Long-Term Assessment of Breast Cancer Risk by Thermal Imaging. In: Biomedical Thermology, 1980; 279-301. 6. P. Gamigami, M.D.; Atlas of Mammography: New Early Signs in Breast Cancer. Blackwell Science, 1996. 7. J. Keyserlingk, M.D.; Time to Reassess the Value of Infrared Breast Imaging? Oncology News Int., 1997; V 6, No. 9. 8. P.Ahlgren, M.D., E. Yu, M.D., J. Keyserlingk, M.D.; Is it Time to Reassess the Value of Infrared Breast Imaging? Primary Care & Cancer (NCI), 1998; V 18, No. 2. 9. N. Belliveau, M.D., J. Keyserlingk, M.D. et al ; Infrared Imaging of the Breast: Initial Reappraisal Using High-Resolution Digital Technology in 100 Successive Cases of Stage I and II Breast Cancer. Breast Journal, 1998; V 4, No. 4 Many of you have chronic pain. So many times the MRI or x-ray doesn't help the practitioner identify the source or root of the problem. Let Infra-red imaging help identify the cause. Most pain actually comes from soft tissue injuries. MRI and x-ray do not do a very good job at finding the source of soft tissue pain. They are used mainly for broken bones and to look at the spinal column and spine when a surgical intervention is needed. Soft tissue pain is the source of pain for multi-millions of chronic-long term sufferers. . For example, look at the picture of the man below. |
DITI For Detecting Pain and Sports Injuries
| This patient presented with chronic, long term pain of the shoulder and upper arm. A MRI and X-Ray both found nothing wrong with the area of pain. His only option was long term pain medications. After this thermography, we were able to treat his soft tissue pain very specifically based on the areas of inflammation seen in the image. Using our high-tech equipment at The Genesis Center has given him a life without pain. |
| This 15 minute non invasive test is a valuable procedure for alerting your GP or specialist to the possibility of designed to improve chances for detecting fast-growing, active tumors in the intervals between mammographic screenings or when mammography is not indicated by screening guidelines or for women under 50 years of age. |
| DITI is a non invasive test. This means there is no contact with the body of any kind, no radiation and the procedure is painless. DITI detects the subtle physiologic changes that accompany breast pathology, whether it is cancer, fibrocystic disease, an infection or a vascular disease. Your doctor can then plan accordingly and lay out a careful program to further diagnose and /or MONITOR you until other standard testing becomes conclusive. This allows for the earliest possible treatment. |
| The Genesis Center |