Women's Breast Health - Thermography and Hormone Balance

Women’s breast health… Finding our balance   (Article published in Green Living Monthly - September 2012)

There is a delicate balance women must make when it comes to breast health. It really is quite simple. As women grow older their bodies begin to lose their ability to produce the very hormones needed for a happy and successful life. As women enter the menopausal years, they face a difficult decision. Their bodies’ production of estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones needed to maintain youthful vitality rapidly declines. These symptoms are well known: Depression, irritability, and short-term memory lapses are very real menopausal complaints; along with hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and weight gain. These problems can be quite profound with these adverse affects, which can alter a woman’s health for the rest of her life. This is why so many women are turning to what are called bio-identical hormones which the body recognizes as being the same as those which are produced naturally. The key is to make sure hormone levels are closely monitored to ensure a patient is getting just the right amount.  In fact, new studies have shown balancing hormones with bioidentical hormones may even reduce the risk of breast cancer.

To strike that critical balance between estrogen and progesterone levels goes beyond using bio-identical hormones, but in also balancing your nervous system including our neurotransmitters. Hormone levels are monitored with new advances in blood serum and saliva testing. For women who are taking bio-identical hormone replacements, these tests may be far less accurate than measuring levels in the blood. When it comes to measuring estrogen, Thermography may be one of our best tools. Thermography uses an infrared camera and is currently the only tool available for identifying Breast Specific Estrogen Dominance. One can clearly see vascular changes in the breast on the infrared gray scale images.  A thermogram of the breasts is the only non-invasive procedure that can detect estrogen imbalance in the breast. Breast tissue can have up to 50 times the estrogen concentration as blood serum levels.  If estrogen levels are imbalanced, it is imperative that the hormone levels be corrected. This is critical because studies have shown how elevated estrogen levels in the breast tissue lead to a greater risk of breast cancer.  The only natural elevations of estrogen in the breasts should be present when women are pregnant or lactating. When we see elevated levels, thermography can also be a tremendous tool for monitoring the effectiveness of our intervention efforts. 

 Simply put, this is a tool that we can use to identify problems, and monitor our efforts towards prevention. Thermography is a state-of-the-art technology that uses advanced digital infrared computerized camera systems to detect heat patterns in the breast which are then analyzed by a doctor who is Board Certified in Medical Thermography. The results are powerful. Studies show that breast thermography has the ability to warn a woman that a cancer is forming up to 10 years before any other test can detect it.

 Among the most difficult of medical statistics is this one: One out of every eight women will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. Traditional methods of detection are no longer enough.  When mammograms are combined with thermography and clinical breast exams statistics reveal a cancer detection rate of 98%!   Perhaps more importantly, thermography provides predictive information allowing us to use it as a method to determine risk. Numerous studies have documented the presence of physiological changes consistent with cancer prior to anatomical detection with mammography. This is extremely important in working to prevent breast cancer. Thermography can be used to identify these physiological signs which precede cancer, and can monitor the ability of therapeutic intervention to effectively lower risk.  The American Cancer Society estimates that this year, over 192,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in the USA alone. Even more tragic is the large number of cancer cases that will be missed until the cancer is very late stage and severe. Early detection is the key to surviving this deadly disease.

It’s more than just taking a hormone to feel better. When a woman can balance the hormone levels in her system, she can reduce her risk of disease. That’s medicine that not only makes you feel better today, but provides peace of mind for the future.

by Dr. Michael Oglesbay, D.O.  and Karla Porter, R.T.(R)(CT),CTT

Karla Porter has a 25 year history of working as a radiological technologist currently certified in both radiology and computed tomography (CT). Certified as a thermography technician and a certified MammaCare clinical breast examiner. Currently owns and operates Insight Thermal Imaging, LLC in Spokane, Washington

Karla Porter, R.T.(R)(CT),CTT

Insight Thermal Imaging

Multiple Locations Spokane Area

509-315-4154

www.InsightThermography.com

karla@InsightThermography.com

Dr. Michael Oglesbay holds a BS in Nutrition and he is a board certified Family Medicine physician.

As a physician, he looks at a patient as a whole and, therefore, values the concept of mind-body balance.  He believes in wellness and health promotion, the self healing capability of the body, and the benefits of the Integrative approach to health.

Since the mid-90's, Dr. Oglesbay has specialized in hormone replacment therapy and bioidentical hormones as part of his integrative approach.  He is certified in Age Management Medicine and is a member of the American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM).  He received the Patient's Choice award in 2011.

Dr. Oglesbay has been practicing at Family Health Care of Post Falls since November 2011.

Dr. Michael Oglesbay, D.O.

Family Health Care of Post Falls       

1110 E. Polston Ave, Suite 1             

Post Falls, ID 83854                                   

    208-773-1311  

www.thehormonedr.com