Our current concept of 'early detection' is not always early enough to avoid metastases. No one is sure when this process begins, certainly not in any individual's case (which as patients is what we care about). Infrared technology has been discussed and used at least since the 1970's. Ann Fonfa found a book published in 1975 which listed thermography as one of the tools we had to detect breast cancer. Maurice Bales, a scientist at the University of California, Berkeley developed the basics, then upgraded the equipment for the Thermal Image Processor (TIP). It was used to identify muscul-skeletal problems, like stress fractures. TIP has a very high resolution imager as part of a complete workstation. A patient stands in front of the camera which records thermal (heat) data while the patient is topless. Cold air is blown on the patient after the camera records under normal conditions. The cold air creates a stress in the sympathetic nervous system which decreases the bloodflow to the surface. Heat radiating contains information about the interior structure. TIP collects a series of pictures recording these changes. They are precisely timed and indicate depth. Now that our understanding of angiogenesis has increased, we can see the benefit of this system. It gives the ability to observe the functional changes indicating growth of blood vessels. (Angiogenesis is the idea that tumors need blood vessels to grow). This is part of what provides the contrast that TIP can pick up. According to the article in Alternative Medicine Magazine, September 1999, the TIP system enables detection at the very beginning of angiogenesis so that it may be two to three years ahead of other diagnostic devices. It can differentiate between cysts and tumors. TIP could be used in younger women, those for whom mammography would not be effective. There is no need for compression as there is with mammography. TIP can also be used to monitor the results of treatment as it can be seen when the anti-angiogenesis factors reverse the disease. Only 15 medical centers use the Bales TIP system right now. Most do not specialize in breast cancer but are using this for musculo-skeletal conditions, regional pain syndrome and diabetic neuropathy. Article from Alternative Medicine Magazine, September 1999 Useful information from a health care provider to a patient Thermography in Los Angeles area Links, locations Adapted from company's information piece on analyst's website Another Announcement from CTI Press Release, CTI, 8/21/02 January 2001, Phase II trial to begin in West Palm Beach,Fl, UCLA Medical Ctr, Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA, Hammersmith Hospital, London Update-9/01 November, 2001 Seminar Aliss T. reports LINK Assoc for Advancement of Diagnostic Thermal Imaging Am J Roentgenology, 2/03 Behav Res Methods Instrum Comput, 8/03 Mol Diagn, 3/03 Surg Today, 2003 J Med Eng Technol, 7-8/02 LINK to clinic in Australia & supplier of thermal cameras They supply 'kits' to individuals (Australia) Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.