An order from the Manitoba’s Minister of Health carries no weight with a Winnipeg clinic. Although The Thermography Clinic was ordered to stop performing thermography scans for breast cancer, CBC News reports that they are still continuing to perform the scans. A report on Feb. 4, 2013 by CBC News claims that one of their reporters was able to contact the clinic and schedule a scan.
A patient from Winnipeg was shocked to learn that the clinic, located on Tache Avenue, was still in operation. Ms. Feaver said she became upset last fall when after reviewing her scans the clinics owner called her to come back to have her breasts scanned. Feaver feels that the clinic uses fear to get patients to agree to scans that Canadian heath professionals deem unnecessary. Feaver was refunded half of her payment after filing a complaint.
What’s up with thermography
The Canadian Cancer Society and The National Cancer Institute (U.S.),say there is no evidence that thermography is an effective method for detecting breast cancer.
The Canadian Cancer Society made a statement in Nov. 2012, stating that there is no proof that thermography actually works as a diagnostic tool for breast cancer.
The National Cancer Institute has this statement on thermography on its website: “Using infrared imaging techniques, thermography of the breast identifies temperature changes in the skin as an indicator of an underlying tumor, displaying these changes in color patterns. Thermographic devices have been approved by the FDA under the 510(k) process, which does not require evidence of clinical effectiveness. There have been no randomized trials of thermography to evaluate the impact on breast cancer mortality or the ability to detect breast cancer. Small cohort studies do not suggest any additional benefit for the use of thermography as an adjunct modality for breast cancer screening.”
U.S. differs from Canada
In Canada, thermography is not approved for use as a screening tool for breast cancer.
In the United States, thermography has approval but it received this approval without proving it is effective. It is possible to get a thermographic screening for breast cancer in the United States. However, patients need to be aware that the accuracy of the scans is questionable. There are no facilities offering breast thermography in Arkansas. The closest ones are in Kansas and Missouri.
Women who want a radiation free method of breast screening should talk with their physicians about an ultrasound.
Lynda Altman is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She writes a blog “Homeschooling When Mom has Cancer.” You can reach her at fusgeyer@gmail.com.
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