This blog post is long overdue! I’ve been chomping at the bit to share this experience with you, as it is something that I feel very called to do. Whenever possible, I try to do everything that I can to seek out healing modalities that are “outside the box” so to say. Things that are not always implemented or recommended by practitioners that are not holistic minded. So when it came to making sure that I have healthy breasts, I decided to opt for Thermography. While conventional screening methods for prevention are sometimes necessary, they do come with risks. Quite frankly for me, the risks outweighed the benefits. And I’m so happy that I chose this path because I have learned and am learning so much, and I am grateful to be able to share it with you.
I had been researching Thermography for a few years, actually ever since I had my last mammogram in around 2016/2017. Having dealt with ovarian cysts and endometriosis from a very young age, and because I have very dense breast tissue as well as cystic breasts, my OB/GYN has been sending me for yearly mammograms since about age 32. Each time it seemed to yield the same results. Each time I was told my breast tissue was too dense to see anything on the mammogram images. I was then sent for ultrasound for further investigation, year after year which always came back with great results.
Those of you that have followed my journey know that I was facing emergency surgery just after Christmas, 2019 due to four large ovarian cysts causing intense pain. (See my last blog post for full story and how I overcame this all holistically with zero chemical meds and zero surgery. Link here.) During my follow up visit with my OB/GYN, (after fully healing on my own) I was slightly you might say, scolded for not having my mammogram in so many years. I explained the various reasons why I hadn’t, and asked if it would be ok if we just skipped the mammogram and went straight to the ultrasound since that is always what happens anyway. My doctor explained his concerns with me not having a mammogram and explained to me that that if I decided to go that route, insurance wouldn’t pay for my ultrasound. I then decided that it was time to commit to what my gut had been telling me to commit to for a few years. Breast Thermography.
So what is Thermography anyway? Thermographic cameras work by detecting heat that naturally emits from the body. Results of thermal imaging tests are known as thermograms. Infrared thermography is the technique of converting infrared energy (radiant heat) into an image that can be seen. Thermography tests can track variations in body temperature from one person to another, and also to track changes in the same person’s surface temperature over time. While it’s been researched most extensively for its role in detecting breast cancer, the benefits of thermography can also be applied to the rest of the body. The primary reason that thermography tests are so beneficial is that they offer a much earlier, more reliable way to detect abnormal cellular activities and suspected tumor growths compared to other tests like self-examinations. Thermography imaging tests are both precise and sensitive, picking up on even subtle changes in the body that can signify a lurking problem. They don’t require any exposure to radiation or invasive procedures. NONE! Medical thermography is a radiation free, non-invasive tool which can help detect breast & body diseases at early stages; such as breast cancer, fibrocystic breast disease, estrogen dominance, thyroid dysfunction, carotid arteries blockage-stroke risk, lymphatic system congestion, digestive distress, early stage diabetes, melanoma, oral inflammation & more.
The primary way that thermal imaging works is by detecting temperature variations related to blood flow and demonstrating abnormal patterns associated with the progression of tumors. When the body is viewed through a thermal imaging camera, warm areas stand out against cooler areas, and changes in patterns can be tracked over time. Because cancer cells are growing and multiplying very fast, blood flow and metabolism are higher in the areas near a growing tumor, which means skin temperature near these locations increases. Thermogram results differ from person to person, so once a “baseline” thermal image is recorded, it’s kept on file to compare against future evaluations. Some experts describe thermogram results as being like a “thermal fingerprint,” since they are unique to each person and only change if pathology (disease) develops. Doctors track a patient’s thermal image recordings in order to ensure that their images remain consistent and stable for several years in a row, which signifies that they aren’t experiencing abnormal changes. This was a no brainer decision for me.
It was actually in the beginning of June, 2019 that I reached out to my amazing Certified Thermographic Technician and now so blessed to call her my friend, April Beaman with CT Thermography. I was in my Biological Dentist’s office at check out, and saw her card there so I grabbed it. I am so thankful for April’s patience with me as I had to reschedule with her a few times from June until this April of 2020. All in divine timing right? Right! I called April in a bit of a panic this past March when I was going through my huge detoxification protocol having done a juice fast and becoming completely vegan, I went through a weight loss period. I was noticing enlarged lymph nodes in my armpits and around my breasts and was feeling a lot of anxiety about that. April quickly calmed my nerves and we scheduled the quickest appointment she could give me given all of the shutdowns. Bless her heart. I was sent an email with all of the prescreening protocols so that we could get the most accurate reading, and an online intake form as well. Incredibly easy to follow the protocol and the forms were simple and took less than 5 minutes to complete.
My exam was scheduled for 9 am so my prep was simple. Part of my prep was **BONUS** no bra for four hours prior! I had no idea how much I’d love these instructions! I was flying free and it was fabulous! I walked in and was greeted by April (behind masks and all) and we quickly got started. The screening took place in a private, temperature controlled room with a screen between myself and April. I was instructed to undress from the waist up (she even provided a hanger for my clothes) and was to allow my body to acclimate for the next 15 minutes. During the 15 minutes that I was acclimating, April asked some questions and we chatted about my health in general, my concerns, my goals, some life experiences, and she even referred me to a local farm which I have currently joined for weekly deliveries. I mean, we really covered a lot in those few minutes!
Following the 15 minutes I was positioned in front of the imaging system so that the relevant surfaces of my body (in this case my breasts) were imaged accordingly. The images were then captured in real-time by an ultra-sensitive medical infrared camera. The imaging itself probably only took 5 minutes since I was only doing my breasts. I was asked to position myself differently for each image and to use my fingers to lift each breast to complete the process. Once the images were taken, they were electronically forwarded to their PACT (Professional Academy of Clinical Thermology) Board Certified physicians who would then interpret and digitally process the images. April explained that a full written report of the findings, including my images would be sent to me approximately 3-7 business days following my appointment. If you by chance require the report sooner, this can be made available for an additional fee.
Once I received the digital thermographic report an in-depth, my on-line consultation was scheduled with April for a full understanding of my findings. The follow up consult was amazing and information packed! I got really good news and the findings were excellent. April came up with a plan for me to keep on my healing and healthy path with some really neat recommendations. Since I was already implementing most of them, (such as dry skin brushing, essential oils, yoga, lymphatic massage, healthy eating etc) we just went over things that would be new to me. Something I wasn’t very good at doing consistently were breast self checks or daily breast massage. She sent all the info I needed as well as a video describing the simple breast massage that I was to implement daily. Oh and how could I forget….upon leaving my initial consult, I was given a little bag of goodies that included an “Essential Breast Balm” that April has formulated specifically for breast health and to help balance hormones. How cool is THAT? I’ve been raving about this oil since the first day I started using it and love to so much that I have used it on my face as well as my breasts. I am glowing! (Thank you April!)
Following the consultation, you are asked to schedule a comparison screening either at 3, 6 or 12 months per the recommendation of the Board Certified physicians to complete your baseline. My recommendation was to follow up in 12 months for another screening.
I am thrilled that I made the decision to follow my heart and my instincts and take the initiative to take this step for myself and my health. In dealing with chronic illness for so long, I’ve reached a point where I only want to do what is healthy for my body. I don’t want to add any unneeded toxic exposures (such as radiation) or invasive tests or exams that lead to anxiety, and therefore weaken my immune system. I understand that there are times where those types of scenarios can’t be avoided. But this was a time where it could be, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced this so that I may be able to share this with all of you. So that I may be able to help someone else. That is always my goal. I want everyone to know that they have options and choices when it comes to what they choose for their healthcare. That is really important for me to share, and I share this because of the long road I have been down with regard to my own health. My wish is that my words help empower someone else.
I’ve included a couple of brief YouTube videos and articles that further explain my reasoning for choosing Thermography. For me, this decision feels right because it is all about being proactive. Focusing on prevention, awareness, and education. This is my journey and my unique perspective, and I thank you all for walking alongside me, being present and always so full of support and love.
In gratitude and with SO much love,
Jennifer XOXO
Articles:
Link on Thermography:
Another link on Thermography vs Mammography:
Link to article on the risks of radiation due to Mammogram: