MammoVision™
Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in women. Traditional diagnostic methods for breast cancer usually detect established disease, but fail to spot the initial phase of disease development. Before a lump is detected by mammography or ultrasound, the cancer could have been developing for as long as 10 years.
One innovative technology which can help to fill this gap is Infrared Regulation Imaging as used in MammoVision™. Developed by InfraMedic™, Germany’s cutting edge medical infrared technology company, with government research grants, and proven in practical use worldwide, MammoVision™ is a screening tool to aid in the early detection, prevention and management of breast cancer.
The thermal camera is a state-of-the-art system from Jenoptik (formerly Carl Zeiss Jena) similar to night-vision systems used by the military. It is coupled to a computer running dedicated software that analyses and compares the images.
MammoVision™ uses no radiation, no needles, no contact — just a set of thermal “photographs”. These are stored in a computer and can be compared to later examinations, allowing us to pick up any changes. This means MammoVision™ can be used to follow up suspect lesions, and to monitor progress after treatment.
MammoVision™ is EU-certified (CE 0483) for medical thermography, and is a class 1 medical device, with the ability to accurately measure temperature. It meets all the required specifications for accuracy and reproducibility as well as all relevant European directives on health and safety.
MammoVision™assesses temperature changes during the examination and provides a rating from 0 (no evidence of risk) to 5 (clear risk of serious breast disease).Based on this information, and the person’s history and personal risk factors, further investigation eg ultrasound or MRI may be advised.
Litfield House
Our Bristol centre is at:
Litfield House Medical Centre
1 Litfield Place,
Clifton, Bristol,
BS8 3LS
Telephone +44 (0) 117 317 1460
Contact us for more information
IMAGES ARE TAKEN AND DOWNLOADED TO COMPUTER
Infrared Regulation Imaging studies how your body adapts to temperature change. You will be asked to remove clothing from the top half of your body only, and to take up a defined position on a chair. A series of thermal images are taken from a distance of 1 metre. Then you will wait in a controlled temperature of 20º C (cool but comfortable) for 10 minutes and another set of images are taken. The change in heat pattern allows “hot spots” due to, for instance, suspect lumps, to show up.
The images are downloaded to computer in real-time and stored, so comparison with follow-up tests in a year or more is easy - and reliable. The computer places a grid over the breast and analyses the images segment by segment. For follow-up it compares new and previous images by segment. This patented grid system makes MammoVision the first IR system capable of 100%-reproducible analysis and therefore accurate comparative data of scans, over time, of individual breast heat patterns.
All results will be assessed by our doctor, in conjunction with detailed information from a health questionnaire which you will be asked to complete before your appointment. A comprehensive report will then be sent to you advising on the test result and the doctor’s findings, and offering additional recommendations for lifestyle and diet measures.
THE SOFTWARE CHARTS A GRID ON THE IMAGE FOR COMPARISON WITH FUTURE IMAGES
Follow-up investigations
We recommend following low-risk results by a repeat examination, lifestyle suggestions and advice on self-examination; higher risk results by additional imaging and referral to our Breast Specialist for further examination and investigations as necessary.
MammoVision thermal imaging is a form of‘risk assessment’. By assessing abnormal physiology, as it relates to the changes that occur when a cancer develops, it can provide an indication of the ‘risk’ of breast cancer developing. High risk cases should therefore be followed up to exclude or confirm the presence of a tumour
Screening tests for circulating tumour cells
IHS Ltd also offers blood tests for circulating tumour cells, including a specific assay for breast cancer cells. This can be used as an adjunctive tool to aid in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. Conventional imaging picks up tumours of >0.5cm diameter, generally missing smaller tumours. However, from 2mm diameter a tumour needs its own blood supply to grow, and tumour cells can start being released into the circulation at this point.
This additional information can therefore aid in the diagnosis of early disease.
Please contact us for further information
RESULTS ARE ANALYSED BY SECTOR AND A DETAILED REPORT MADE
Who are we?
Dr Nicola Hembry: BSc MB BS MSB
Is the director of Integrated Health Screening Ltd. She is an experienced integrated medicine physician with a particular interest in complementary and supportive approaches to cancer
She works closely with InfraMedic™ in Germany, and is a member of the European Thermographic Association
The IHS team also includes:
Mr Zenon Rayter: respected Bristol breast surgeon.
Dr Lyn Jones: radiologist with a special interest in breast imaging
For cancer patients – Dr Hembry also offers minimal residual disease screening and chemosensitivity testing. These specialised tests can help in the early detection of a cancer recurrence, and also offer guidance on which treatments may be most effective. For further information