Early Act - Lets Follow Suit!

In the US yesterday, breast cancer survivor, and congresswoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz introduced a bill, being called the Early Act, that would direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop a national campaign to boost awareness among women younger than 40, including encouraging early detection.

She called for greater awareness of breast cancer among younger women, and in revealing her own battle with breast cancer she said, " It is my hope that by sharing my story, we will pass the (bill) and further reduce the death rate of young women diagnosed with breast cancer." "We have to ensure that every young woman can rely on more than just luck."

Younger Women Need Greater Awareness

Here in Australia, we have an appalling lack of knowledge and awareness in younger women, of the numerous factors potentially associated with developing breast cancer, and an even greater lack of knowledge that there are ways to monitor ongoing breast health, other than just through the use of mammograms.

Within the medical fraternity it's well known that mammograms are not particularly effective on women under 40, due to density of breast tissue. What is quite amazing is that no one seems to appreciate the value of Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging ( DITI ) as a tool for early detection of changes in breast tissue, in younger women, and the message needs to get out!

Women need to start spreading the word, at a grassroots level, about the value of DITI, and the bonus that it's non-invasive, painless and RADIATION free!

With more women now entering politics at the highest levels of office, here in Australia, surely it's time to take this message to them, and see if we can also effect change, and create our very own 'Early Act' and get DITI on the map!

For further information visit www.thermalscans.com.au

In Good Health
Patricia

Early Detection Equals Early Intervention

Breast cancer doesn't discriminate we've discovered.

This past few years have been a grim one statistically speaking, for young, high profile women, the world over. Here in Australia in 2006 we came to terms with the loss of Belinda Emmett, wife of television personality Rove Mcmannus. An eight year fight that started with breast cancer at 21, saw her taken by age 32, with secondary camcers. A year earlier, the world was shocked to learn that 'our very own Kylie Minnogue' had been diagnosed with breast cancer, at the young age of 36. Then in mid 2008 we all watched the sad story of a young family torn apart by breast cancer, as Jane McGrath, the lovely wife of cricketer Glenn McGrath, also lost her long battle against the disease, at age 42.

Very early detection is a key component for survival, and one of the single greatest challenges for young women. The medical profession openly admits mammograms are not really useful for young women under 40 because their breast tissue is too dense, and misdiagnosis can be all too common.

A white coat is no guarantee they are right!

Seems both Kylie Minogue and US comedienne Ellen DeGeneres, experienced a misdiagnosis of breast cancer, and when Kylie was being interviewed on DeGeneres’ TV talk show, she took the opportunity to point out that just because ” someone is in a white coat and using big medical instruments ”, there is no guarantee they are right!

She agreed 100% with Senator Hillary Clinton, who was also being interviewed, on the absolute importance of the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.

Like Kylie, this is a subject close to my heart too, because in my Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging clinic, where I offer alternative breast screening, I get to see first hand, the results of both early and late Thermal Imaging.

One of my clients came to me with a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer already in place, and was scheduled for surgery of the affected breast. She had decided she wanted to use Thermal Imaging for future monitoring, and so we scanned her breasts for an initial baseline image, for future comparisons.

Imagine my dismay when her results came back, indicating that in fact the cancer in the affected breast was so advanced, it was no longer even ‘thermally active’, however the ‘clear’ breast was showing serious early activity of inflammatory breast disease. The reporting Doctor made the observation that this was probably what her other breast would have looked like 8 -10 years previously, in the early stages of it’s cancer development. He was adamant her GP needed to be made aware of this fact.

The tragic thing here is that her mammogram of the previous week, had not given ANY indication of this new developing pre cancerous state, and in all reality probably won’t for another 6-8 years, by which time it will have likely developed into a full blown tumour.

The irony of this situation, is that the chemo and radiation she is scheduled to have post mastectomy, may well treat this new emerging problem, in the ‘clear breast’, but if she had been able to catch the first breast all those years ago, she may have been able to head this insidious disease off at the pass, with far less invasive measures than she she is now having to experience.

Moral of the story ? Pay attention to what Kylie was saying, and listen to your body and your own intuition, and investigate ALL the options for early diagnosis.

Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging is an early warning tool

you can’t afford
NOT
to know about!

The medical profession openly admits mammograms are not really useful for young women under 40 because their breast tissue is too dense. Yet they fail to inform people of the alternatives now available, that are painless, non invasive and best of all, radiation free!

Visit www.thermalscans.com.au for further information.

In Good Health

Patricia