Mammogram or Thermography?

Well why doesn't that surprise me. They banned them becaues there was no clinical evidence... and who do you think is in charge of that then. It's so biased it's unbelievable. They treat us no better than lab rats, honestly, so we are not to be trusted in making our own choices for our health. We are at the mercy of the huge pharma companies and the medics who stand to make the most profits.

Unfortunately after seeing quite a few family members and friends die from cancer it doesn't wash with me to listen to just the Drs anymore. If other countries can have cures to cancer but Australia and America keep pushing toxic treatment and pills to help depleat our immune systems even more, (that's the reason why you get cancer in the first place), then you have to ask the question WHY?

Why after how many years of getting donations haven'tt they found the cure to cancer, because they stand to make much more money holding off.  The scare mongering the Dr's do and the blocking and prevention of any positive news coming from other sources is bordering on criminal activity. We all have a right to make a choice, do the research, start with youtube and look up John Bergman - Cancer, he'll tell you more than any Dr will.  It's one of the biggest rackets going. My friend was told she has a month to live and there's nothing more they could do, after blasting her with chemo and radiation they just about killed her but then she got word of treatment in China. Be careful though as it's a dirty word if you mention you're trying something different, every Dr and governing body that stands to loose milions will be jumping up and down telling you all the reasons why you shouldn't.  After 4 mths in China my friend came back last week and is looking radiate. She went to the hospital where they first treated her and not one of them wanted to know where she had been and what she had done. Now don't you think this is kinda strange considering these are the very people who are meant to be caring for us when we get cancer? I'm not going to dose up my system every year with radiation on each breast for the next 20 years because if you don't have breast cancer now, you probably will after that amount of toxic crap in the body. (I expect now we'll get someone on here telling us it's actually not that toxic). Lets wait and see.  Meanwhile, I'm not squashing my breasts on that plate ever again. 

Hi

I have just finished reading an article in a magazine called how to fight CANCER  regarding thermography.  I do not agree or disagree with this article but thought I would pass on what they say.

Heading is "Breast thermography warning"

Thermal breast imaging is a technique that produces heat pictures of the breast.  The rationale for using it as a means of testing breast cancer is that the skin overlaying a malignant lesion can be warmer than the surrounding areas.  Howerver, studies have found that the tumour needs to be large (several centimetes in daimeter) before it can be detected by thermography.

Despite the lack of evidence to support the use of breast thermography in screening for breast cancer, some women are foregoing the proven technology of mammogram in favour of this test.  This trend has prompted cautions against breast thermography from the Cancer Institute NSW.

"Women should be warned that it is dangerous to rely on unproven thermal imaging technology for the early detection of breast cancer." said Professor David Currow, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institure NSW. "Mammograms are safe and the latest digital technology used by BreastScreen NSW means there is minimal exposure to radiation while still achieving a high quality x-ray.

"Through BreastScreen Australan women have access to one of the best breast screening programs in the world and they should not be lulled by the claims of unproven technologies," he said. "I encourage all women aged between 50 and 69 to make having a mammogram every two years a health priority.  It is a high-quality, free service that could save your life."

This article is dated Autumn 2012.  Not sure where I got the magazine from but it is an interesting magazine regarding breast cancer etc.

Mich xo

Hi

I have just finished reading an article in a magazine called how to fight CANCER  regarding thermography.  I do not agree or disagree with this article but thought I would pass on what they say.

Heading is "Breast thermography warning"

Thermal breast imaging is a technique that produces heat pictures of the breast.  The rationale for using it as a means of testing breast cancer is that the skin overlaying a malignant lesion can be warmer than the surrounding areas.  Howerver, studies have found that the tumour needs to be large (several centimetes in daimeter) before it can be detected by thermography.

Despite the lack of evidence to support the use of breast thermography in screening for breast cancer, some women are foregoing the proven technology of mammogram in favour of this test.  This trend has prompted cautions against breast thermography from the Cancer Institute NSW.

"Women should be warned that it is dangerous to rely on unproven thermal imaging technology for the early detection of breast cancer." said Professor David Currow, Chief Cancer Officer and CEO of the Cancer Institure NSW. "Mammograms are safe and the latest digital technology used by BreastScreen NSW means there is minimal exposure to radiation while still achieving a high quality x-ray.

"Through BreastScreen Australan women have access to one of the best breast screening programs in the world and they should not be lulled by the claims of unproven technologies," he said. "I encourage all women aged between 50 and 69 to make having a mammogram every two years a health priority.  It is a high-quality, free service that could save your life."

This article is dated Autumn 2012.  Not sure where I got the magazine from but it is an interesting magazine regarding breast cancer etc.

Mich xo

I believe you have to find an oncologist that you relate with and know is giving you the best options to give you the best possible treatment available for your diagnosis.  If you decide to try alternative treatments always let your treating medical team know so they don't interfere with your conventional treatments. All the best...their are some wonderful treatment centres in the hospitals that offer meditation and all sorts of massage such as reiki etc to patients undergoing cancer treatments, maybe check them out. I know Perth has one in Sir Charles Gairdner.

Well meaning family and friends can be trying with their continual bombardment of "wonder" cures, I always just said thanks very much, took whatever they offered and decided myself after they'd gone if it went in the bin or perhaps I'd ask my oncologist:) that way no-one gets offended.

Thank  you Sharon and Ann for your comments also. I sometimes become overwhelmed with the "would-be's" of this world who come and tell me with all their worldly influence what they "would" do in my position. 

I turn around and tell them - "would you allow yourself to go untreated until you found something more natural to use" Having a diagnosis of cancer in any form at all is frightening and as I am sure most of us understand that we are in shock for so long after beng told at point blank range what we have, that we are not in a position to think clearly enough to know what to do. Hence we are at the mercy of medicos and well meaning friends/family who only want us to live. Who do we believe, is it worth putting ourselves through chemo, is there a natural alternative. I have heard of many, and seen the results - good healthy bodies - however I am too frightened to go down the "un-medical - tried, shown and trusted" road. Yes, I know it is not perfect, however it is the best we have to date that has been proven.

I suppose all we can do now, is to try some of these complimentary therapies, adopt a better diet and take better care of ourselves and then hope for the best.

By the way, the latest word I have head is that "cancer cannnot survive in alkaline water" so I am trying that as well. Anyone heard of this?

Thank  you Sharon and Ann for your comments also. I sometimes become overwhelmed with the "would-be's" of this world who come and tell me with all their worldly influence what they "would" do in my position. 

I turn around and tell them - "would you allow yourself to go untreated until you found something more natural to use" Having a diagnosis of cancer in any form at all is frightening and as I am sure most of us understand that we are in shock for so long after beng told at point blank range what we have, that we are not in a position to think clearly enough to know what to do. Hence we are at the mercy of medicos and well meaning friends/family who only want us to live. Who do we believe, is it worth putting ourselves through chemo, is there a natural alternative. I have heard of many, and seen the results - good healthy bodies - however I am too frightened to go down the "un-medical - tried, shown and trusted" road. Yes, I know it is not perfect, however it is the best we have to date that has been proven.

I suppose all we can do now, is to try some of these complimentary therapies, adopt a better diet and take better care of ourselves and then hope for the best.

By the way, the latest word I have head is that "cancer cannnot survive in alkaline water" so I am trying that as well. Anyone heard of this?

Thank you Nicca for your comment. I have found several thermography offices in Oz, online that are openly promoting the use of thermoimaging for breast cancer. 

I had a freind from over seas (India) who tells me it is widely used in his country and tells me that mammograms are archaic. I have another friend who also told me that they are archaic and that she had found a lady who does thermoimaging and would be going to her in future.

I keep hearing from other people who tell me that mammograms are dangerous to our health as there is more radioactivity in a mammogram than there is in a regular x-ray. 

It is very confusing to a lay person who doesn't understand the science of everything. I asked my surgeon whom I trust and he told me that there is much less radioactivity in a mammogram. So I was happy to leave it at that. I also have an untrasound with my mammogram each year. It doesn't worry me, though I like to be more informed. I understand the basis for thermoimaging, though don't understand why it is not as accurate as the mammogram.

In my case, I didn't feel a lump at all, and if I hadn't had my mammogram (as encouraged by my then doctor) I would not have been any the wiser until it had possibly grown to the stage where it may have been more dangerous, so I am happy that it was found, even though I lost my breast. The DCIS was contained to my breast and I live to call myself a survivor.

Thank you again. I am on a journey to become more informed after the crisis has been.

Sandy 

Hi All, I have read somewhere that the MRI is better but too expensive. I heard the story of a lady finding a lump herself. Then had a mammogram to check it out and it was found to be cancer. Then they found a second lump AFTER she had a MRI. Here is what I read :

"The second lump had been a surprise find on the morning of her surgery when she underwent a MRI breast scan.

The scan is not subsidised by the Federal Government, making the option unaffordable for some women."

Makes me wonder how many lumps are being missed by mammagrams. Ann

Hi sandycee

You may like to read our page about thermal imaging (or thermography) here.

In January 2011, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) banned thermography devices from being sold in Australia because there is no clinical evidence that they are effective at detecting cancer. 

You can read more about thermography and BCNA's position at that page. 

Sandycee, by having regular mammograms you ARE being responsible! Mammography is the evidence-based gold standard of care for detecting breast cancer.

All the best sandycee - I hope you are doing well and I hope the new lady in your group is going well with her treatment.

Nicca

 

Hi sandycee

You may like to read our page about thermal imaging (or thermography) here.

In January 2011, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) banned thermography devices from being sold in Australia because there is no clinical evidence that they are effective at detecting cancer. 

You can read more about thermography and BCNA's position at that page. 

Sandycee, by having regular mammograms you ARE being responsible! Mammography is the evidence-based gold standard of care for detecting breast cancer.

All the best sandycee - I hope you are doing well and I hope the new lady in your group is going well with her treatment.

Nicca