DITI, a Treatment with Unlimited Potential: Digital infrared thermal imaging can alleviate many mammogram issues, says Tina Clemmons

Digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI) and breast health are topics of interest as we learn about the challenges the medical community is facing with X-ray-based mammogram issues of radiation damage, false positives and effectiveness in catching problems early enough. DITI was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1982 as a valuable adjunct to mammograms and does not subject the patient to any discomfort or harmful radiation.

Cancer needs oxygen to grow, meaning it needs more blood supply. Cancerous cells emit a protein to stimulate angiogenesis, or new capillary growth. The increased blood flow raises the temperature around the cancer, which is detected by a thermal camera. The initial images serve as a benchmark for comparison over time, just as a mammogram does, but there is zero exposure to ionizing radiation and no risk of compression that may cause cancer cells to spread. These images are then read and analyzed by highly trained and certified reading doctors that prepare a detailed report for the patient and the patient’s primary care doctor.

While conventional X-rays, mammograms and MRIs expose patients to harmful ionizing radiation and/or ultraviolet light, thermography does not. Injection with chemical dyes for the images to be viewed on the capturing monitors is not required, either. Dr. Gregory Melvin, a board-certified thermal image reading doctor for more than 20 years, describes thermography as “a simple test of physiology that relies on the sympathetic nerve control of skin blood flow and the ability of the sympathetic system to respond and react to pathology anywhere in the body.”

Significant advancements in thermal imaging technology continue to be made. In addition to the advancements in detecting breast cancer and monitoring breast health, thermography is also being used to identify and monitor conditions such as arterial inflammation, arthritis, cardiovascular and heart disease, circulatory issues and pre-stroke conditions, fibromyalgia, gallbladder issues, hormone imbalances, nerve damage and neuropathy, periodontal disease, skin cancer, sports injuries, unexplained pain, carpal tunnel, digestive issues and more.

Tina Clemmons is a certified clinical thermographer and owner of De Novo Scan Clinical Thermography, and provides thermal imaging services throughout Arizona. For more information, call 480-284-2222 or visit DeNovoScan.com. Mention Natural Awakenings and save $100 (see coupon in their ad in the magazine for complete details and restrictionshttp://www.DeNovoScan.com).