How I Got Involved with Thermography...
There have been giant strides in Thermography over the decades. I first performed thermography decades ago when it was used in addition to mammography on patients with symptoms; this was before screening mammography was approved by the FDA. (Thermography was approved for breast cancer screening first, several years before mammography in 1982; mammography was approved later in 1989). The technology at the time wasn't very good, and we had to mail (remember that?) polaroid pictures of the images from here out-west, to somewhere back-east for interpretation. By the time we got the results back, the patient would have already had surgery! So, thermography proved to be useless to me at that time, and I abandoned it in favor of mammography. After performing mammography for over 35 years, it became apparent that I was not detecting breast cancer early enough to save lives... Changing to digital mammography did not significantly reduce the radiation dose to breast tissue as it was supposed to; and corporate medicine, of which mammography is a mainstay, have no interest in the discussion.
Read more...
Acting on a suggestion from a medical colleague, I started researching Clinical Thermal Imaging near the end of 2008; I could not believe the changes in technology! I quit performing mammography, and in the Spring of 2009, Northern Arizona Thermal Imaging was born.
As part of my training to become certified in Clinical Thermal Imaging, in the Spring of 2009, I had my firs Breast Thermogram
Later, as Spring became Summer in July of 2009, I found a lump in my left breast.
A second (follow-up) thermogram showed a "suspicious change" from my first thermogram. I then had a diagnostic digital mammogram that showed NOTHING. Luckily, an ultrasound showed the mass, so I was able to have an ultrasound guided biopsy. It came back positive for an infiltrating ductal carcinoma.
If I had relied on annual mammography, it would have taken 2 or more years to find my cancer...
...Thermography saved my life! As a Medical Professional, I am now committed to providing the highest quality medical thermography to people of all ages. Thermography is safe, (no radiation involved) and painless, (no physical contact). It only takes a few minutes in a pleasant environment, and you or your health care provider receives a full report with copies of all images in 72 hours on average. Carol Conti, RT, CCT Northern Arizona Thermal Imaging |
