As more scientists question the safety and efficacy of mammograms, women are turning to non-radiological methods like breast thermography to help them stay cancer-free, says Patricia Bowen- Luccardi, a certified thermographic technician.

“Several recent studies have clearly shown that breast cancer screenings may cause women more harm than good,” she says. “A study in the December 2011 British Medical Journal confirmed that breast cancer screening may cause women harm, especially during the early years after they start screening. This harm is largely due to surgeries, such as lumpectomies and mastectomies, and other, often unnecessary, interventions from false positives.” False positives can also lead to repeat screenings—and more radiation. “Scientific evidence supports the theory that your immune system is your best cancer weapon,” she notes. “Why weaken it with radiation?”

Thermography can spot breast anomalies years before mammography, Bowen-Luccardi says. “With regular thermography, you’d likely have the opportunity to make adjustments to your diet, beliefs and lifestyle to transform your cells before they became cancerous. And thermography is a particularly good choice for dense breasts. It doesn’t identify fibrocystic tissue, breast implants or scars as needing further investigation.”

Patricia Bowen-Luccardi practices at 250 Park Ave., 7th floor. For more information, call her at 518.929.7579 or visit BTIScan.com.