An Early Christmas Gift to Myself
Every year, as the holiday season approaches, I take out my list of thoughtful items/experiences to buy for my family and friends which show them that they are special, I care and love them.
Since, I turned 30 (16 years ago already), I put my name on that list and wrapped myself a gift only to be opened on Christmas Day. This year, my present came early and I couldn’t wrap it but it was the thought that counted!
I made an appointment with www.thermographyclinicniagara.com
A few weeks ago, I had my first breast assessment using thermal imaging! In 2011, I had learned a bit about it in nutrition school and it caught my interest, unfortunately, I was too concerned that it wasn’t covered by my teacher’s benefit plan that I kept using that as an excuse. Since I left my full-time high school teaching job and started investing in my mental, emotional and physical health, my whole mindset changed for the better and opportunity instead of obstacles danced all around me. I started working for myself building my own holistic health and yoga practice and as I support, educate and heal others, I’ve decided I’d rather pay now for prevention than pay later with drugs.
So let’s go back to thermography and allow me to answer
who, what, where, why, when and how questions that you may have.
We keep hearing about mammograms but aren’t there other assessment methods?
Yes!
It’s called thermography or thermal imaging and it is non-invasive, safe and painless imaging procedure where infrared images of breasts are analyzed and rated to determine the risk of developing breast cancer. This type of imaging allows you to see the range and amount of heat or thermal energy that the body gives off.
Infrared thermography was a device first developed by the military to measure the infrared heat spectrum. Over the past 70 years, it has been perfected and is used to detect heat in the breast, and any other part of the body, that is created when the body increases blood supply to feed abnormal cells.
Alexander Mostovoy, DHMS, BCCT, has read images of over 20,000 women and he affirms without hesitation that thermography is a better predictor of breast health than any other imaging method. This method enables women to have an early warning to any problems that may be developing. If a problem is detected, a follow-up with other tests such as an ultrasound and/or mammography can be suggested. The best approach would be to first evaluate the reasons why a person is at “high risk”, then develop a preventative program to help reduce their risk via a trusted holistic health practitioner.
Early detection prolongs life expectancy
BUT
prevention should be the first line of defense!
There are many unhealthy habits which may “awaken” cancerous cells within us:
- emotional and mental trauma
- a diet low in nutrients and high in sugar and processed foods
- not managing stress
- not enough sleep
- little to no exercise
When addressing these unhealthy habits, make sure you seek the support of a certified holistic nutritionist that resonates with you.
What’s the difference between thermography and mammograms/ultrasounds?
Why am I, as a holistic nutritionist, suggesting to get breast thermography first?
Here is a chart outlining the differences:
Thermography | Mammograms/ultrasounds |
· Non-invasive, no touching, painless | · Breasts are compressed between two plates and it can hurt |
· 100% safe
· Infra-red heat detection via a camera that takes pictures from 1m distance |
· Radiation
· If there is already a tumor, it can get break from pressure and cancer cells can spread |
· Early warning system
· Can detect physiological changes many years prior to any other assessment method |
· Can only detect structural changes which could occur years after early detection |
· Hormonal detection and good for anyone, at any age | · Use of hormones decreases sensitivity
· Suggested for women 50+ |
· All shapes, size and conditions including breast implants and fibrocystic conditions | · Large, dense and fibrocystic breasts and small breasts are difficult to read |
· Can detect all areas of the breast, armpit and chest
|
· Upper portions of the breast including the tail of the breast and the Axillary region can’t be visualized |
· Long-term tracking and risk assessment make it very sensitive to fast growing aggressive tumors
· 10% false negatives · Someone who is high risk will be asked to do an ultrasound and structural testing to make sure they get a full and complete evaluation |
· 25% are false negatives
· 40% of cancers are missed in women under 50 and 20% are missed in women over 50 |
On a closing note…
My experience with Laurie-Ann at the Thermography Clinic Niagara was stress-free as she thoroughly answered all my questions and her office-imaging room environment was very much “like home”. It definitely was not an intimidating, cold looking hospital exam room! I definitely recommend this caring, non-invasive and painless approach to all women. From a cost perspective, I put aside $20 a month since last December 2017 after completing another 300hr yoga teacher training, and I was able to pay for it this year.
This assessment could save your life – now that is a priceless gift to give yourself!