Frequently Asked Questions

Is thermography safe? 
Thermography is a totally non-invasive, radiation-free, and painless imaging procedure.  It is as safe as having your picture taken.  There is no breast compression and no contact between the thermal camera and your body. There are no contraindications to thermography.

Who can benefit from thermography? 
One of the most common uses of thermography is breast screening. Breast thermography is beneficial for all women, but particularly so in women below the age of 50, anyone who has a family history of breast and skin cancers, or women with dense or fibrocystic breasts where the sensitivity of mammography is compromised.

Breast thermography is especially useful and highly recommended, for women who have chosen to not have screening mammograms. Thermography is also an excellent whole-body screening tool that often detects unsuspected dental inflammation, immune dysfunction, thyroid dysfunction, vascular disease, hormone imbalances, and systemic inflammation.  All individuals with unexplained pain in their bodies may benefit from thermography.

Do I need a doctor’s referral?
No.  Though many patients are referred by a physician or other healthcare provider, Thermographic Health Advantage also accepts self-referred patients.

Why do I need a three-month follow-up thermogram following my initial breast screening? 
Before it can be determined that any changes are taking place in the breasts, an accurate and stable baseline must be established.  In other words, we need to know what your normal thermal print is. A thermal print is similar to a fingerprint, as it is unique to you. Thermal patterns in the breast are different for every individual. The breast thermal patterns should remain remarkably stable. Under normal circumstances, changes occur when there is a developing pathology.  A baseline cannot be established with only one study. By comparing two studies three months apart, a determination can be made regarding a woman’s breast physiology. Once stability is assured, and a baseline is established, the images will be used for future annual comparative studies.  There are no substitutes for establishing an accurate baseline.

Are my prior thermographic images compared to the most recent imaging? All prior images are compared to the most recent imaging, as long as the interpretation services used were EMI.

I used another thermography company before, do I need to reestablish a breast baseline? If the prior thermography company has used EMI (Electronic Medical Interpretation) as their interpretation services then your prior images can be used in a comparative study. If another interpretation service was used then you must re-establish your baseline with us.

Do I still need a mammogram? 
Thermography is not a substitute for mammography.  It is FDA approved as an adjunct to mammography, not as a stand-alone test.  Thermography is a measure of breast physiology, while mammography is a picture of breast anatomy. When it comes to breast screening, there is no single test that will detect all cancers. Cancer detection rates are as high as 98% in women who take advantage of both thermography and mammography screening. This is an integrative approach to your breast health.

Is thermography better than mammography?
Both tests can create images of the breasts, and both offer the possibility of early breast cancer detection.  However, they are different tests, using different equipment, and reveal completely different things.  Mammography sees inside the body using radiation technology and compression to the breast tissue. It can show the approximate size and location of a suspicious mass. It is not very beneficial or valuable for women who have dense breast tissue.

Thermography offers you the opportunity to become aware of worrisome physiological changes before there is a palpable or diagnosable cancer. A client can then choose to implement risk reduction strategies such as diet change, exercise, physician-prescribed medical-grade supplementation for gut health and detoxification, and add stress reduction techniques to improve overall health.

Mammography involves radiation and breast compression; thermography requires neither.  Mammography shows anatomy (structure); thermography is a physiological test only.  Mammography can detect cancers very early, as small as a few millimeters; thermography cannot “see” cancer but instead measures subtle temperature changes in the skin associated with underlying pathology.  Thermography can detect physiologic changes associated with cancer, while it is still at a cellular level and many times before it becomes visible on a mammogram.

Thermography can indicate estrogen dominance, an imbalance in estrogen levels associated with higher breast cancer risk.  It detects lymphatic congestion and inflammation in the body, which are precursors to disease.  The effects of dietary habits are also clearly visible.  Women on a typical Western diet who switch to a healthier, mostly plant-based diet show remarkable improvement in their thermal patterns.  Thermography is very beneficial in the monitoring of breast health and is not just a way of detecting breast disease.

Thermography does not replace mammography.  It is FDA approved as an adjunct to mammography. It provides a valuable piece to the early detection puzzle, providing risk information and possible early warning that mammography cannot.

What is cold stressing? 
Cold stressing is a test to measure the function of the sympathetic nervous system.  It is particularly useful in the evaluation of Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).  Protocols used by Thermographic Health Advantage do not require routine cold stressing, but this may be specifically requested by a referring physician for indications other than breast imaging.

Who certifies your thermographers? 
Our Thermographers are trained and certified by the American College of Clinical Thermology - ACCT

Who interprets the images? 
Studies performed by Thermographic Health are interpreted by EMI (Electronic Medical Interpretation). They are a team of board-certified radiologists with extensive experience in both general diagnostic and breast imaging, as well as medical doctors who are Certified Thermologists. They have all been trained and certified to interpret thermograms by the American College of Clinical Thermography. 

How much does the procedure cost?

Thermographic Health Advantage services range in price from $275.00 for a breast study or any single region of interest (ROI), to $375 for a Women’s Wellness Study (imaging from the face and neck to the pubic bone, the breast study is included in this study), and $550.00 for a whole-body thermographic study.

Is this procedure covered by insurance? 
Thermography is typically not covered by health insurance.  Insurance coverage is expected to expand as the controversies and uncertainties over screening mammography continue to grow. Coverage varies by state, carrier, and plan. Please check with your individual carrier to see what coverage is available. 

It is the patient’s responsibility to file a claim for reimbursement.  Thermographic Health Advantage will gladly provide a statement with appropriate ICD9 and CPT codes so you can submit a claim for reimbursement from your FSA (Flexible Spending Account) or HSA (Healthcare Savings Account.)

Many women who are at risk for breast cancer are underinsured, live in communities that are underserved, and have no health insurance. Unfortunately, they do not receive the medical care they deserve.  Our mission is to provide thermographic services for anyone in need. Making thermography affordable creates a positive impact in the lives of women who have been diagnosed or are at greater risk for developing breast cancer.

The United Breast Cancer Foundation believes early detection of breast cancer often insures a successful outcome, and every woman is entitled to proper medical care.  UBCF offers women & men free or low-cost breast screenings vouchers and follow-up care.  Click here to learn more about UBCF.

If you or someone you know needs assistance with breast screening, please call Thermographic Health Advantage at 845-222-6923 for a scholarship application for a low-cost breast screening thermogram. 

What forms of payment do you accept? 
It is our policy to receive payment at the time of service.  We accept cash, personal checks, Zelle, Venmo, and credit cards.

What is your cancellation policy?
If you are unable to keep your appointment, we ask that you notify our office at least 24 hours in advance.  We would like to have the option of offering your appointment to others who may not have been able to schedule an appointment due to the lack of availability. 

Please notify us at least one full business day before your scheduled appointment or a cancellation fee will be charged upon rescheduling.