Breast and Heart Health, Issues of Concern For Females During National Women’s Health Month

blog, Breast Health, Dr. Janet's blogs, Heart Health, Mammograms No Responses »
May 202013

Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center Offers Programs to Encourage
Women to Make Health a Priority; Live Happier, Healthier Lives

(Middleburg Heights, OH) – The recent choices made by Angelina Jolie have heightened the focus on the health of women. May is National Women’s Health Month, an opportune time for women to realize that they must first take care of themselves to successfully take care of their families.

“In my many years as a pediatrician, I have had the opportunity to meet thousands of mothers,” said Dr. Janet Levatin, M.D., of the Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center (TIMC).  “I admire and respect all mothers because they work so hard and are so wonderfully protective of their infants and children, but many of them need to take better care of themselves.”

Levatin said breast and cardiovascular health are major issues for TIMC’s female clientele.  Both rank high nationally as leading killers of women, which makes the suburban Cleveland-based center’s Women’s Health Program a key tool for women in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Among the alternatives to identify breast abnormalities is thermography, a technique for detecting heat-emitting areas in the breast.  A thermogram is an infra-red image that identifies subtle changes in the tissues that could be a dilated blood vessel, area of inflammation, and infection or even a possible tumor. Thermography differs from mammography in more than one way.

“Unlike a mammogram, a thermogram involves no pain, no radiation and no breast compression,” Levatin said. “Breast thermography was FDA approved in 1982 as an adjunctive tool to be used for breast health. The scan can identify subtle changes many years before they are identified on a mammogram. A woman then has time to change her diet, and institute a supplement and life style program to restore the tissues. While mammograms can be useful, they are a late test, meaning, they often fail to identify the earliest changes that can be addressed noninvasively. In addition, mammography often detects a ‘problem’ that leads to many unnecessary procedures.”

Heart disease is another silent killer of women.  TIMC offers two unique blood profiles that are far more advanced than the routine testing cholesterol testing used by conventional doctors.  One is the VAP cholesterol profile from Atherotech; the other is from California-based Berkeley Heart Lab.  Both allow TIMC to examine more accurately the lipid levels and develop patient-specific programs for heart health.

“We’re starting to use genomic testing to determine whether a low-dose aspirin plan or supplements and dietary changes are the best options,” Levatin said.  “Many people eat who even eat an organic diet a diet may be missing the nutrients they need, which can lead to cardiovascular, metabolic, and weight problems. Using our unique tests, we can help patients with a program designed specifically for their needs.”

About Dr. Janet Levatin, M.D.
Dr. Janet Levatin is a holistic pediatrician and homeopathic physician who treats both children and adults. Previously, she was in private practice outside of Boston, Massachusetts, for almost 25 years prior to joining TIMC. She attended college at the University or Rochester (NY), and medical school at George Washington University School of Medicine. She completed a pediatric internship and residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1986, and has been certified as a Homeopathic Master Clinician for over 10 years.

About the Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center (TIMC)
Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center, formerly OsteoMed II, is a multi-disciplinary health center located in Middleburg Heights, Ohio. The center delivers personalized, holistic medical care and partners with each person to help them achieve optimal health without pharmaceutical drugs in areas of asthma, allergies, children’s health, ADD/ADHD, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, thyroid and adrenal health restoration, and more. TIMC offers medically-supervised detoxification and weight loss programs. For more information, call 440-239-3438 or visit the TIMC website at www.tenpennyimc.com

Posted by admin at 5:17 pm

Good Job, FDA

Breast Health, Mammograms 3 Responses »
Jul 252011

Several months ago, infrared breast imaging, more commonly known as breast thermography, was in the news — and not in a favorable way.

In the spring of 2011, the FDA sent warning letters to Dr. Joesph Mercola, owner of the popular website Mercola.com, and Peter Leando, PhD, president of MediTherm, Inc instructing them to stop making claims about infrared imaging and breast thermography beyond the FDA approved use.  The FDA noted that the Mercola.com website contains statements that represent or suggest that the MediTherm Med2000 camera is intended to be used as a stand-alone device to diagnose or screen for various diseases.  The warning letter requested confirmation that these claims were removed. It is not clear from the FDA website if either company has responded to the FDA.

Across the Internet, claims are being made that infrared imaging can differentiate osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and fibromyalgia; identify immune dysfunction; and assist in recognition of bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease.  According to the FDA, infrared imaging is being advocated to identify bursitis, herniated discs, ligament or muscle tear, lupus, nerve problems, whiplash, stroke screening, cancer and “many others.” These are not FDA approved usages.

Unlike regulations for pharmaceutical drugs, the FDA does not allow off-label use of medical equipment, ie., it can only be used as specifically approved. It certainly is rare for the FDA to receive accolades from the natural health community. But this time, we really do need to say, “Good job, FDA.” This is exactly the type of policing you should be doing.

Intended Use

The FDA gave 510(k) clearance to infrared imaging devices to be used in conjunction with mammography. It was not intended to be a replacement for mammography and was *certainly* never approved to assess internal organs, such as the pancreas, the colon and the kidneys. Making claims far beyond the capability of the technology taints the usefulness of infrared imaging and gives it a bad name across many circles.

While infrared breast imaging (IRBI) is not intended to be a stand alone assessment, the painless, non-invasive scan really can identify areas of concern in the physiology years before an abnormality is localized on a mammogram. It is a valuable early warning indicator, especially for women who have had normal mammograms. Most women have heard stories of women who had several years of normal mammograms and then, the very next year, the mammogram identifies cancer. This did not happen in a mere 365 days! The abnormal cells were evolving for many years. Read the review I wrote of the textbook Breast Imaging — note that the fastest growing breast cancers materialize over 9 years; the slowest can take nearly 30 years to be seen on a mammogram. Valuable time for intervention is lost without an infrared health breast assessment.

IRBI is of particular value for women in their 40s, especially since initial mammogram screening has now been moved to 50 year of age.  IRBI is also beneficial to women with dense breasts or with breast implants, where mammography is less reliable. For women who experience extreme pain with mammograms — and flat out refuse the test – a pain-free, no radiation scan can be lifesaving.

The right tool for the right job applies across the spectrum of life. For example, an MRI is better than a CT scan for identifying a herniated disc. Positioning mammography vs thermography is not in the best interest of women. A mammogram identifies structural changes that have been locked into the anatomy of the breast. Infrared imaging identifies areas of abnormal heat that can represent new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) and release of nitric oxide (a cancer risk factor). Physiological changes precede changes in the anatomy. The physicians and PhDs at the FDA surely must understand this; they need to further embrace the value of infrared as a tool for assessing breast disease and promoting breast health.

Unless infrared breast imaging is properly used, my concern is that the FDA will increase the policing of this tool, and we could eventually lose its use for good. I’m not always a fan of the FDA, but in this instance, the regulators have definitely done the right thing.

Basic Recommendations for Healthier Breasts

  • Diet: Eliminate caffeine, chocolate, MSG, aspartame, and estrogenic herbs. Eat organically grown foods as much as possible. Pesticides collect in fatty tissue, and the breast can become a reservoir for estrogenic chemicals. Limit alcohol as it depletes folic acid, a known risk factor for breast cancer.
  • Exercise: Walking and arm swinging will get the lymphatics moving. Decongesting breast tissue reduces risks.
  • Supplements: Many nutrientshave a positive effect on the breast tissue. Increasing the use if iodine, turmeric, calcium-d-glucarate and vitamin D is a place to start.

For more information, go to Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center for more information about infrared imaging and out another test, called a HALO exam, for women starting at 25 years of age.

Posted by admin at 12:59 am Tagged with: , , , , ,

How to Avoid Hearing, “You Have Breast Cancer…”

Breast Health, Mammograms 1 Response »
Mar 202011

Breast cancer strikes fear in the hearts of all women. Most have known someone who has been treated for or worse, has died from the disease. Historically, breast cancer was diagnosed after a woman sought medical attention for soreness or a palpable mass. Annual mammograms have become the “gold standard” for breast cancer screening with the goal of finding tumors while they are still very small. However, in actuality, mammography is a late test. It does not prevent cancer; it detects cancer. The best idea is not early detection; it is not getting cancer at all.

What else can be done?
infra red breast imaging - tenpennyThermography, also called infrared breast imaging (IRBI), has been FDA approved for breast screening since 1982. It is painless, non-invasive and uses no radiation. The scan detects thermal patterns not seen by any other tool. It is of particular value to women starting at 40 years of age, a decade before when the American Cancer Society recommends that mammograms begin. IRBI is especially beneficial for women with dense breasts or with breast implants, where mammography is less reliable.

Abnormal cells require a steady supply of nutrients for rapid growth. A process called angiogenesis draws blood vessels in the direction of the atypical cell, rapidly growing cells. More blood flow through the area delivers more heat. The increased temperatures deep within the tissues is transmitted through a process called convection to the surface of the skin where the subtle temperature differences can be detected by infrared scanning.

Skin surface temperature in most persons is symmetrical. A variation of more than 0.3° C from side to side can indicate a problem. A temperature variation of more than 1.0°C detected by infrared scanning is suggestive of the presence of pre-cancerous cells. Most importantly, this finding can be present up to 7 years before a mass is detectable by mammography and up to 10 years before a becomes palpable.

The IRBI procedure
After disrobing to the waist, approximately 15 minutes is needed in a temperature controlled room for the skin to equilibrate to room temperature. An experienced technician performs three scans—front, left and right views—with arms extended over the head. Both hands are then placed in cool water for exactly one minute. When the sympathetic nervous system is chilled, normal vessels constrict; abnormal vessels stay the same or dilate. A second set of scans is taken immediately taken for comparison.  It is our position that a scan that does not include a cold stress challenge is an incomplete test. Temperatures differences between the first and second scan are part of the final report. When the scans are completed, the exam is over.

Interpretations are given a risk value, with scores ranging from TH1 to TH5, with TH standing for “thermal”. The experts who review and interpret the scan include many risk factors in the assessment. If an abnormality is identified, pro-active steps can be taken and the progress of the program can be monitored with serial scans. Additional blood, urine or saliva tests may be recommended to assess iodine level, nutrient and hormone imbalances along with exercises and life-style coaching to help your body heal.

Basic recommendations include start with the following:

  • Diet: Eliminate caffeine, chocolate, MSG, aspartame, and herbs that have estrogenic properties, especially non-fermented soy. Studies found that soy supplements can increase breast cancer risk, especially in post-menopausal women. In addition, eat organically grown foods as much as possible. Pesticides collect in fatty tissue, and the breast can become a reservoir for estrogenic chemicals. Limit alcohol as it depletes folic acid, a known risk factor for breast cancer.
  • Exercise: Walking and arm swinging will get the lymphatics moving. Decongesting breast tissue reduces risks.

For women who are young, at high risk, have dense breasts, have breast implants or simply want to be more proactive about breast health and breast cancer prevention, a digital IRBI scan is the way to go.

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IRBI is Redefining the Meaning of Early Detection

All present information, data, and material contained, presented, or provided herein is provided for general information purposes only. It reflects the compiled efforts and opinions of the author. It is not intended to be, nor is it construed to be, legal advice or specific medical advice.

The information presented reflects the author’s opinions at the time of the presentation. Some information will change over time, as new research, data and information becomes available. Updates and possible corrections will be discussed and relayed through seminars, the website, and other forms of general communication. The author assumes no responsibility for updating information that may modify any information presented herein.

The decision of whether or not to obtain a mammogram and/or a thermogram is an important and complex issue. The decision should be made by the patient in consultation with a health care provider and one’s own conscience. Decisions regarding breast health programs – mammograms, thermograms, nutraceuticals, etc –are yours alone, and Dr. Tenpenny is not responsible for any consequence of those decisions.

Neither Dr. Tenpenny, Tenpenny Enterprises, nor any healthcare practitioners at Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center are responsible for the health care consequences of any information herein or other information produced and distributed by Tenpenny Integrative Medical Center.

Posted by admin at 4:13 am Tagged with:

The New Meaning for Early Detection

Breast Health, Mammograms No Responses »
Jan 262010

Several years ago, the Journal of the National Cancer Institute published a study that included 145 women who assessed their feelings about mammograms. The purpose of the study was to determine how women 40–50 years of age perceived their risk of breast cancer and how much they trusted the effectiveness of mammographic screening. Each woman was asked about her risk factors for breast cancer and asked to estimate what she thought her probabilities were of developing breast cancer and dying of it within 10 years, with and without a mammogram screening. The results were eye opening:

  • > Women overestimated their probability of dying of breast cancer by more than 20-fold
  • > Women overestimated the value of screening mammography to reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by 100-fold

The study went on to conclude, “Women younger than 50 years substantially over-estimate both their breast cancer risk and the effectiveness of screening.”

In a different multinational large population-based survey that included four countries (2003), 57% of women believe that mammography prevents or reduces the risk of contracting breast cancer. (Truth is, mammograms detect cancer, they do not prevent it.)

Additionally, 62% of women believe that mammography reduces mortality from breast cancer by 50–75%.  (Actually, if 1,000 women aged 50 and older have regular mammography every 2 years for 10 years, approximately 5 deaths will be prevented over the 10 years.)

Everywhere you look — in print, on TV, across the Internet and even at the cosmetic counters of department stores — mammogram advocates are pushing the procedure as if it was the ultimate cure for cancer.  It is not.

While early detection may, in some instances save lives, screening mammograms do not prevent cancer.  In the mid-1980s, by the time a woman found a lump, the tumor was advanced. Annual mammography came into wide acceptance around that time as a way to find a tumor before it could be felt.  The idea for screening was to find it early so that treatments such as surgery, radiation and chemo could reduce the breast cancer death rate.  By this measure, mammograms have had some success.

But how many “survivors” do we need before women wake up and demand a new meaning for “early detection?”  Instead of running and marching and walking to find raise money for a Cure, we should scream for earlier detection, a method to stop the growth of abnormal cells before they mature into full blown cancer. Researchers stopped looking for the Cause a long time ago because we’re demanding the Cure.  Does anyone see the problem with this? Do women — and men — realize they are simply raising money for the drug companies, which have more wealth than most countriee, to cure something we can avoid with the right tools and protocols?

In addition to research dollars for the Cause, we need to demand that a state-of-the-art infrared breast imaging be performed. It is more sensitive than breast exam and gives infinitely more information than a mammogram. We need to insist that insurance companies cover this test as readily as they cover breast xrays, biopsies and cancer therapies.

With infrared breast imaging (IRBI), areas of concern can be identified years in advance of a mammographic finding.   Dietary and lifestyle changes, lymph drainage exercises, evidence-based vitamins and nutraceuticals can be used to heal the abnormality. Improvements can be followed by non-invasive, non-painful, non-radiating imaging. If the area of heat and inflammation goes away, the risk of progression, by definition, goes down, and can even goe completely away.

Think infrared breast imaging (IRBI). Ask about our new payment plans for the Breast Test.

Redefine the meaning of “Early Detection.” Find out more HERE.

Posted by admin at 3:31 am Tagged with: , , ,
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