Because my mother has had breast cancer twice,
my ob/gyn started recommending mammograms every other year when I was 35 years
old. In addition, due to dense and
cystic breasts, I have had 2 diagnostic mammograms. At only 46 years of age, I
have had more mammograms than I am comfortable with and have become more and
more convinced that this is putting me at a greater risk for breast cancer.
I initially learned about thermal imaging for
breast cancer detection from Dr. Mercola. Thermal imaging is an FDA approved adjunct to
mammograms in which infrared technology is used to detect areas of rapidly growing
cells or inflammation. According to
proponents, thermal imaging can detect breast cancer 8 to 10 years earlier than
mammograms. Unfortunately, it is not
currently covered by insurance plans and there is not yet a provider in Little Rock.
A few months ago, I decided it would be worth my
effort and expense to have thermal breast imaging instead of additional mammograms. I asked thermal imaging technicians; Ron and
Jeanine Jarvis of Body Scan for Health in Rogers, Arkansas; to come to Little
Rock to do a weekend of thermal imaging which was hosted by Dr. John Vincent at the Wellness Revolution.
In November, Geanine Jarvis performed my first
thermal imaging scan. I chose to have
full body imaging, rather than just breast imaging. I was a little nervous and
didn't quite know what to expect. My
husband went with me to provide support (and to get to see neat technology - a
big plus for him). Geanine made me feel
very comfortable.
I spent 15 minutes in a cool (not cold) room in
my hospital gown to get my body temperature right for the imaging. Then Geanine and my husband sat at a desk
with a computer screen. I stood behind
them with the thermal camera pointed at me.
Geanine watched the screen and gave me directions about which areas of
my body to uncover and how to stand. She
was able to do that without turning to look at me (much more private
than what I expected). Also, unlike mammograms, there is no
contact involved in thermal imaging. We
were all able to watch the images on the screen.
Geanine recorded the images so they could
be sent to a physician's group to be read by a doctor.
Approximately 2 weeks later I received a report along with copies of the
images and recommendations. One
recommendation was to get a 3 month follow up on my breast imaging so a
baseline can be established. If there is
no change in the patterns in my breasts after my follow-up, then I can continue
with annual imaging.
Ron and Geanine are returning to Little Rock on
Feb. 1st to do follow-ups and first time imaging. Breast imaging is $199. Imaging for other body parts or full body varies. If you are interested in making an
appointment or finding out more, please e-mail your phone number to me, Lisa
Lipe (lisa8 AT sbcglobal DOT net). I
would be glad to provide additional information and/or schedule you for an
imaging appointment. Spaces are very
limited so contact me as soon as possible.
Lisa
