| The dangers of mammograms have been | | | | You may be asked to submerge your hands in |
| somewhat lightly addressed by the recent | | | | cold water for a minute followed by additional |
| government recommendation that women need | | | | images being taken. |
| fewer of them over their lifetimes. Despite the | | | | Results |
| outcry that fewer mammograms will kill women, | | | | A licensed thermologist will read your thermogram |
| the truth is that mammograms endanger your | | | | and, most likely your doctor will read it, too. My |
| health. I've talked about the dangers and benefits | | | | thermologist also e-mails me a copy of |
| of thermograms in the first two articles in this | | | | thermograms so I can keep them for personal |
| series. If you've decided to schedule a | | | | records. |
| thermogram, congratulations! | | | | Breast thermograms are rated on a scale of 1 to |
| Here's what to expect when you have a | | | | 5 that range from TH1 (no detectable thermal |
| thermogram. | | | | abnormalities) to TH5 (detection of thermal |
| Preparing for a thermogram | | | | abnormalities with very high risk for breast |
| 1. Avoid excessive sun exposure or even artificial | | | | cancer). |
| tanning natural or artificial tanning for one week | | | | Any result beyond TH1 calls for further evaluation. |
| before your thermogram. | | | | If you have an early stage thermal abnormalities, |
| 2. Avoid saunas, steam baths, and hot or cold | | | | you may be asked to have another thermogram |
| packs for at least 24 hours prior to your | | | | for comparison in 60 to 120 days. |
| thermogram. Do not take a hot bat or shower | | | | Depending on the image rating and other methods |
| for at least two hours before your thermogram | | | | of evaluation, you may be asked to have an |
| appointment. | | | | ultrasound of the questionable area or you may |
| 3. Do not exercise on the day of your | | | | be referred to a breast specialist. |
| thermogram. | | | | Doctors trained in holistic medicine can offer a |
| 4. Don't drink any caffeinated beverages (coffee, | | | | variety of preventive measures, including |
| tea, sodas) for at least two hours before your | | | | nutritional, metabolic, environmental, or lifestyle |
| thermogram. | | | | changes to address early thermal abnormalities. |
| 5. Remove any large necklaces before the | | | | Cost of a thermogram |
| imaging. Small necklaces actually enable the | | | | The cost of the thermograms is generally |
| thermogram technician to sharpen the focus. Your | | | | between $100 and $200, depending on where you |
| thermographer will advise you. | | | | live. |
| 6. Do not shave your underarms or apply any | | | | Be sure to check with your insurer about whether |
| type of deodorant or antiperspirant or any lotions, | | | | you'll be covered. Many insurance companies will |
| creams or powders to your underarms or your | | | | cover thermography. If your insurance plan |
| breasts on the day of your thermogram. | | | | includes "out-of-network" benefits, you may |
| 7. Do not engage in any activities that might | | | | receive partial insurance reimbursement. Your |
| increase your blood pressure, including arguments | | | | insurer might require a referral from your doctor |
| and emotional stress whenever possible. These | | | | or pre-approval or authorization. |
| can raise your skin temperature and effect your | | | | For your doctor's information, the thermography |
| thermogram results. | | | | billing code (known as a CPT code) is 93762. |
| 8. Don't smoke or drink alcohol for a minimum of | | | | Including this number on your claim form can |
| 24 hours before your appointment. | | | | increase your chances of being reimbursed.. |
| 9. Take only your regular prescription medicines. | | | | If you're not sure yet or you don't know where |
| It's best to skip your supplements or take them | | | | to get a thermogram, read more here. |
| later in the day, since they might effect the | | | | If you're at high risk... |
| image. If you're not sure, call your thermogram | | | | Annual MRI screening,ay be appropriate for you if |
| center and ask. | | | | you are at high risk for breast cancer (highest |
| 10. Wear comfortable clothing that covers your | | | | risk: your mother or sister have had breast |
| arms and legs. A front-buttoning shirt is perfect, | | | | cancer and/or if you've tested positive for the |
| 11. Avoid confrontation or emotional stress on the | | | | BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes). |
| day of your thermogram. That can quite literally | | | | As many as 1.4 million American women are in |
| raise your skin temperature. | | | | the high-risk category, but many, if not most, |
| What happens during an exam | | | | health insurance companies will balk at the |
| When you arrive at your thermogram | | | | $1,500-$4,000 cost of an MRI. |
| appointment, you will be asked to remove all | | | | If your and your doctor think an annual MRI is the |
| clothing and jewelry above the waist. You may be | | | | best way to screen against high risk breast |
| asked to wait in an air conditioned room for about | | | | cancer risk, prepare for at least a minor skirmish, |
| 15 minutes to stabilize your skin temperature. | | | | if not a major battle with your insurance |
| The actual imaging is like having your picture | | | | company. |
| taken. You will be asked to stand in front of a | | | | Here's some ammo for your battle: The American |
| camera with your fingers clasped behind your | | | | Cancer Society recommends annual MRIs in |
| head and several images will be taken from | | | | addition to mammograms for all women at high |
| different angles. That's it! Nothing touches your | | | | risk of developing breast cancer, starting at age |
| skin. | | | | 30. |