Breast Cancer/mamo vs thermo

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Expert: - 7/2/2008


Question
I have heard that mamograms crush breast tissue and damage the lymph nodes in the breast.  I'm leaning toward a thermogram instead of a mamogram.  This method is not well know in the states.  Any thoughts or advice?

Answer
There is a good reason why you have not heard much of it, it does not work very well! Thermography was tried out extensively already in the 1970'ies based on the fact that cancers have a higher metabolism than normal tissues and therefore are somewhat warmer so it was believed that they would show up clearly in a thermogram where you literally can see heat. However, it turned out that there were MANY sources of errors in this method so it was if not useless at least very unreliable!
Your belief that mammography "crushes" the breasts and lymph nodes is also wildly exaggerated to say the least! That is also a proven method of examination that works! So if you care for your own interests you should chose mammography! Good luck!

Breast Cancer

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Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D.

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I`m a doctor of medicine and a specialist in radiation therapy and medical oncology. I have long experience in diagnostics and treatment of breast tumours.

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I'm a Doctor of Medicine and specialist in Medical Oncology and Radiation Therapy educated & trained in Sweden. Now retired. Background in Radiation Therapy, Medical Oncology, Radiation Protection, Nuclear Medicine, Diagnostic Radiology, Gynecological Oncology, Clinical Pathology, Clinical Cytology,Hematology and Internal Medicine. M.D. from the faculty of medicine, Royal Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. Have also been an exchange student at the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem Israel. Former medical consultant, Swedish National Board of Radiation Protection. Former Police Surgeon and Medical Examiner, Stockholm Police Department. Former Chief Medical Officer, The Royal Guards, The Royal Horse Guards and the Royal Household Brigade, Royal Swedish Army Medical Corps.You can also reach me on: http://www.lifestylerescue.com/expert/health-fitness-advice/dr-claes-gustaf/128 I have no restrictions on the number of questions there.

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I'm a medical doctor and specialist in medical oncology and radiation therapy.

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