I became aware of thermography after completing my studies years ago in Radiation Therapy. I was intrigued by the non-invasive, imaging modality. And just like many people, I had NO clue that this procedure was an option towards my well-being. Years later working as an office manager, I met Donna Tomey-Barahona, a thermographer with incredible experience and a wealth of knowledge. I made my first appointment last May and the sessions were both insightful and compelling.
My approach for the session was to be proactive and begin a preventative baseline. I completed my first breast thermography and a follow up three months later. Thankfully, my results were clear and offered an eye-opening view on the thermal patterns of both my breasts.
My experience was so comforting and informative that I knew it was inevitable I would share it with the collective. So, I asked Donna, and she’s here to demystify and offer clarity on the top questions:
JF: Can you explain to my readers what exactly is Thermography?
Donna: Thermography is Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging and is a physiological test. Thermal imaging never uses radiation or compression when imaging the breasts and/or body. Very early cancerous changes in the breasts create inflammation and abnormal vascular changes.
Simply put, thermography takes pictures of this abnormal process and looks for any change over time, as stability and consistency are key in thermography. Thermography offers many of the very early red flags….it can be your first warning sign that you should heed and take very seriously.
JF: What can someone expect after having their first scan?
Donna: When you come into the office, you will notice it is very cool inside…. around 68 degrees. You will then change into a paper exam cape from the waist up and start filling out your patient intake forms.
Afterwards, I will thoroughly educate you on what thermography is, what it sees and answer all your questions. The actual imaging only takes a few minutes, and your entire visit should last no more than 30 minutes. Nothing touches you and it’s completely safe and non-invasive. You will receive your report within one week via email and can contact me with any questions about your report.
JF: Are there any risks or side effects as it relates to the procedure?
Donna: There are no risks or side effects whatsoever. It’s also great for any woman with breast implants!
JF: Are scans just for women?
Donna: Absolutely not! Men do upper or full body thermography all the time!
JF: What’s the difference between a mammogram and a thermogram?
Donna: Mammograms look for “structures”, such as tumors and calcifications. Unfortunately, if you have dense breasts, which 40-50% of women do, mammograms will miss cancer many times and specificity is greatly reduced…which is why you will also have to do a breast ultrasound. On average, it takes 6-10 years and billions of cancer cells for a malignant tumor to grow before it’s ever seen on a mammogram or felt with the human hand.
Mammograms miss the entire early growth process, and rather see the result of all those years of growth, which is a tumor. In addition, there is radiation used (as in an x-ray) on the breasts which can INCREASE your risk for breast cancer. Thermography never uses radiation or compression and can see the very early abnormal changes that occur in the breasts. Tumors don’t “pop-up” overnight and are years in the making!
Because active cancer cells double (on average) every 90 days, initially you will do two separate thermography scans three months apart to establish a stable baseline. After we have established that baseline, you need only to return annually. I also recommend adding an annual breast ultrasound to complement your thermography. Breast ultrasounds are great, because it sees cysts, dilated ducts, enlarged lymph nodes – non-inflammatory structures that thermography is not designed to see. Thermography is technically not designed as a stand-alone imaging modality, so doing both is highly recommended and covers the physiological as well as the structural aspects of the breasts.
JF: What is a very common misconception about thermography?
Donna: There is a lot of misleading information about thermography online. You will read “thermography is not useful in detecting cancer or tumors, therefore it’s useless”. You may also hear this from your doctor, and this could not be further from the truth. In fact, it’s quite astounding to hear some comments from my clients about what their doctor told them about thermography.
Because it is not a structural test and is not designed to see actual physical tumors, the conventional medical community dismisses it. They would rather wait until you have a tumor that they can see, but why wait that long? Wouldn’t you want to see that you were “on your way” to possibly getting cancer in your breasts, so you can reverse these abnormal changes with the right nutritional protocol? What about hormones?
That is the #1 reason why we are getting breast cancer – imbalanced poor hormone metabolism and methylation.
JF: What is one solid suggestion you would give a patient who wishes to maximize their thermography session?
Donna: Make sure you read ALL the Instructions Before Your Scan on my website. This is very important because there are some “do’s and don’ts” that you need to follow. If you don’t, we would need to reschedule your appointment, wasting your time and mine 🙂 Also, you’re never “too old” to start doing your breast thermography, but try to start in your 20’s, and continue every year so your breast health is monitored over the years.
JF: Why are the scans expensive? Does insurance cover the procedure?
Donna: Let’s just say if you asked ANY woman who had breast cancer if they would have spent $185 ten years ago to potentially avoid cancer and all the “hell” they went through with surgery, treatments, emotional and physical trauma, would they have? The answer is always YES.
I don’t think $185 is a lot to spend on yourself and to prevent yourself from getting breast cancer. Because it is a preventative screening tool, most insurances do not cover (a few do). However, most imaging technicians like me, are not “providers” or doctors, so we are not authorized to accept insurance anyway. But I can provide a detailed receipt (there is no code) that you can submit for possible insurance reimbursement.
JF: Where can one get a medical thermography done?
Donna: I am located in Ft. Lauderdale, (Florida, USA) but if you are anywhere else in the world, you can go to Thermology Online to find a thermographer near you!
JF: Lastly, what’s your predictive insight on the future of thermography?
Donna: As a Certified Clinical Thermographer for 17 years and a breast cancer survivor since 2006, I can tell you that thermography has absolutely exploded over the past 5-10 years. More and more women are self-educating, doing their own research and critical thinking when it comes to their breast screening choice, which is so refreshing.
It’s no longer “my doctor told me I HAD to do a mammogram, so I have to”, it’s “my doctor told me I HAD to do a mammogram, and I said, “thank you, but it is MY CHOICE is to do breast thermography and breast ultrasound”.
To Wrap Things Up
With increasing awareness and the evolving landscape of health choices, thermography’s future appears promising, empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being. As a proactive and preventative screening method, the investment in thermography is a small price compared to the potential avoidance of the physical and emotional toll of illnesses including cancer. I encourage everyone to explore this approach to health, and let it be your choice on the path to well-informed and personalized wellness.
To contact Donna at Thermography First, you may contact her office at 1-954-673-2221, email or visit her website.
wealthjourneycompass says
Great info, thanks for sharing!
Jasmine Feliciano says
My pleasure! Thank you for reading 💜