Thermography

interesting...
I don't know about this test or if insurance cover it but thanks for sharing. I found this link and was stimulated by it: http://naturalhealthcenter.mercola.com/services/thermography.aspx?s_kwcid=TC|15735|thermography||S|b|9483878104&gclid=COqi75SCqKwCFQSHDgodcTQgBA

Let's see what others say. I'm curious...

NOT Approved by the FDA
Hello nicmarie,

I thought you might be interested in knowing that on June 2, 2011 the FDA issued a Safety Communication entitled "Breast Cancer Screening - Thermography is Not an Alternative to Mammography." It went on to say:

"The FDA is issuing this communication to alert the public, including women and health care providers, that thermography is NOT a replacement for screening mammography and should NOT be used by itself to diagnose 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."

"Public health agencies and national medical and professional societies agree with FDA that mammography is still the MOST effective method of detecting breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. These organizations include the American Cancer Society, the American College of Radiology, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute, and the Society for Breast Imaging."

Summary of Problem and Scope:

"Certain facilities, websites, and mobile units are promoting the use of thermography as a stand-alone evaluation tool for screening and diagnosing breast cancer, claiming that is a substitute for or superior to mammography. They also claim that thermography can detect pre-cancerous abnormalities and diagnose breast cancer long before mammography and that compressing the breast during mammography will cause or spread cancer by pushing cancer cells into additional locations in the body. The FDA is concerned that women will believe these MISLEADING claims about thermography and not receive needed mammograms."

Recommendations to Women:

* Have regular mammograms according to screening guidelines or as recommended by your health care provider.
* Follow your health care provider's recommendations for additional breast diagnostic procedures such as various mammographic views, clinical breast exam, breast ultrasound, MRI or biopsy; additional procedures could include thermography.
* Remember that thermography is NOT a substitute for mammography and should NOT be used by itself for breast cancer screening or diagnosis.

FDA Activities:
This year the FDA has issued the following warning letters for marketing and promoting thermographic devices for uses that have not received marketing clearance or approval. In these warning letters, the FDA has instructed the providers to immediately cease making inappropriate claims about thermography devices.

* Warning Letter to Meditherm, Inc7 (April 4, 2011)
* Warning Letter to Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr. Mercola’s Natural Health Center8 (March 22, 2011)
* Warning Letter to Central Coast Thermography9 (January 6, 2011)

The FDA will continue to monitor the promotional activity of the thermography manufacturers and practitioners.

Given this information I think it is highly unlikely that any insurance company will cover breast thermography.

I had patients ask about
I had patients ask about this several years ago. When I looked it up I found:
It's not regulated so results are really varied
It has been around since the 70's or 80's and never caught on
It works like a PET scan and isn't very specific in its findings

The fact that it has been around for so long and not been approved should be an indicator that it isn't that effective.

As I said, I looked it up several years ago so there may be more reliable information now. I haven't heard any thing really positive yet though.

Cindy

mamolady said:

I had patients ask about
I had patients ask about this several years ago. When I looked it up I found:
It's not regulated so results are really varied
It has been around since the 70's or 80's and never caught on
It works like a PET scan and isn't very specific in its findings

The fact that it has been around for so long and not been approved should be an indicator that it isn't that effective.

As I said, I looked it up several years ago so there may be more reliable information now. I haven't heard any thing really positive yet though.

Cindy

I must live under a rock as
I must live under a rock as I had never heard of this. I doubt insurance would cover it since it isn't regulated?