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In essence, mammotherms are heat pictures of the breasts. When heat variations exist from one breast to the other, or within one breast itself that are beyond the norms, this is a reflection of altered physiology which may be indicative of adverse function. A follow up mammogram or ultrasound could be either positive or negative in these situations. In the negative situation, it could be years before the ultrasound or mammogram detects a tumor, but the increased heat activity is an indication that something may be "cooking" at the smallest detectable levels.
You do not have to worry about reading your own mammotherm, this is part of the service provided by an imaging center. What we have presented here is the way in which a mammotherm would be read and it will give you an idea of thermal patterns that are being looked for which may indicate the need to begin taking a proactive approach to your breast health.
Mammotherms use a rating scale marked "TH". Non-vascular breasts with symmetry (both breasts have equal temperatures) are rated as TH1. Symmetric vascular breasts are rated as TH2. Neither of these ratings is suspicious.
Below are the primary and secondary factors that may be present that add to the TH value. If any factor is present, it adds to the TH score. TH5 is the highest rating regardless of how many factors are present. A series of mammotherms that results in a rating of TH3 or higher raises the need for action. This is the case even if a recent mammogram or ultrasound (or a follow up mammogram/ultrasound) is negative.
NOTE: To discern the detail necessary for these determinations, a high resolution medical grade imaging camera operating in the 8 - 13um infrared wave band is required. The graphic images below are reprinted from the Journal of the International Academy of Clinical Thermology.
PRIMARY TH FACTORS
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