Welcome
Painless Thermal Breast Health Screening
No Radiation
No Compression
Safe for women at any age, with any size breast, and for women who have had breast surgery
Procedure and Preparation
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
I offer complete breast thermography. The purpose of this exam is to detect abnormal changes in breast tissue. For each thermogram, multiple images are taken. Although all images are evaluated, only those pertinent to the report are included.
Patient Preparation
Your thermogram will take twenty to thirty minutes.
I will email yo
I offer complete breast thermography. The purpose of this exam is to detect abnormal changes in breast tissue. For each thermogram, multiple images are taken. Although all images are evaluated, only those pertinent to the report are included.
Patient Preparation
Your thermogram will take twenty to thirty minutes.
I will email you our paperwork when you call to schedule your thermogram. I ask that you print, read through and fill out all forms. Then bring them with you to your appointment.
Once you are in the thermography exam room, you will disrobe from the waist up and let your body acclimate to room temperature prior to the exam. I will take pictures using an infrared camera. There is no radiation involved and you will not be touched. A 'stress challenge' will be part of the procedure. This involves one minute of chilling the hands in cold water in order to produce a physiological response. This will provide additional information regarding your vascular health and sympathetic nervous system response to stress.
Before your thermogram:
~Do not smoke for at least two hours prior to the exam.
~Do not use lotions or powders on your breasts or chest.
~Avoid application of deodorant if possible.
~Do not shave underarms on the day of the exam to avoid skin abrasions.
~Avoid sun exposure for extended periods of time the day before and on the day of the exam.
~Avoid a hot shower within 4 hours prior to the exam.
~Avoid exercise, hot drinks or very cold drinks 4 hours prior to the exam.
If you are disabled or unable to sit or stand for long periods, please notify me.
Test Results
Once your exam is complete, your images will be evaluated by Dr. Ater. A follow up consultation with Dr. Ater to review and explain your results will be scheduled. The fee for this consultation will be included in the total fee paid on the day of your exam.
You are welcome to bring a companion or partner to be present during the exam and/or the follow up consultation.
This test is not invasive and there is no contact, no radiation, and no pain associated with it.
Important
Infrared imaging offers the chance of early detection of breast disease. Like all procedures, there is not a 100% guarantee of detection. This is not a diagnostic test. A complete program of breast health includes: monthly self-exam, annual physical exam, thermal imaging and mammogram/ultrasound as indicated by your physician.
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
Breast thermography is a safe and non-invasive screening tool. There is no compression and no radiation. Thermography is safe for women of any age, with any size breast and for women who have had breast surgery.
Thermography can provide early cancer detection because of its sensitivity to temperature variations and vascular changes in th
Breast thermography is a safe and non-invasive screening tool. There is no compression and no radiation. Thermography is safe for women of any age, with any size breast and for women who have had breast surgery.
Thermography can provide early cancer detection because of its sensitivity to temperature variations and vascular changes in the breast tissue. Thermography reveals whether the breast tissue is starting to become an environment that could easily foster cancer growth, often before that growth even begins to happen.
Conventional breast screening techniques (mammogram, ultrasound, MRI) are structural. They check for abnormal structure or densities in the breast tissue. Thermography is a physiological test. It checks for abnormal activity, chiefly blood flow, heat and vascular patterns, in the breast.
Thermography measures the infrared radiation (heat) which is constantly emanating out from the core of the body to the surface. The levels of heat radiating out from a healthy body are symmetrical. Abnormal heat patterns suggest abnormal physiological processes happening in the body. Unusual vascular or temperature patterns alert an experienced thermographer that there may be a physiological abnormality in the breast. This could indicate infection, inflammation, trauma or cancer.
Taking a thermal photo of the breasts for interpretation is based on the idea that blood vessel activity in pre-cancerous tissue, and in the area surrounding a developing breast cancer, is often higher than in normal breast tissue. Pre-cancerous and cancerous masses need more nutrients than normal healthy tissue in order to maintain their rapid growth. They increase the blood circulation to their cells by sending out chemicals to keep existing blood vessels open, to waken dormant vessels and even to create new vessels (neo-angiogenesis). All of this activity and increased blood flow cause the surface temperature of the skin to increase which is often detectable with thermography.
Breast thermography is not a replacement for mammography. It is adjunctive. Using thermography, we, as patients, can begin to take control of our own health using all tools available to us. Combining breast self-exams, physician exams, thermography and ultrasound or mammography provides us with early detection. When treated in the earliest stages, most breast cancer has a cure rate of over 95%.
Cost, Insurance, Payment and Follow up
What is thermography? Can I do this instead of mammogram?
Cost, Insurance, Payment and Follow up
$250 + NMGRT
This covers your initial imaging appointment, your follow up consultation and a color copy of your report.
Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, thermography is almost never covered by insurance. I try to keep costs as low as possible in order to make this technology as affordable and available as possible. Until insurance covera
$250 + NMGRT
This covers your initial imaging appointment, your follow up consultation and a color copy of your report.
Insurance Coverage
Unfortunately, thermography is almost never covered by insurance. I try to keep costs as low as possible in order to make this technology as affordable and available as possible. Until insurance coverage of thermography begins to change, I will not accept insurance. However, upon request, I am happy to issue a receipt with the pertinent insurance codes your insurance company will need for processing and possible coverage (ICD-10 codes and CPT codes). You may submit this receipt to your insurance company for possible direct reimbursement depending on your company and insurance plan.
Follow Up Consultation
It is strongly recommended you receive an in person, follow up consultation if this is your first thermogram or your first thermogram with me. I don't find it ethical to give you an expensive exam without explanation of your report. Once you are an established patient, and if your thermograms are non-suspicious, I can provide follow up consultations by phone or email.
Payment
Accepted forms of payment are check or cash only.
History
Certified Thermologist
Certified Thermologist
The history of Two Birds Thermography begins with Dr. Janet Greene, MD. Dr. Greene came to New Mexico with an 'outside the box' attitude. She created a rich practice, integrating homeopathy and herbal supplementation with her allopathic training, and established deep relationships with many of her patients. Dr. Greene was one of the fir
The history of Two Birds Thermography begins with Dr. Janet Greene, MD. Dr. Greene came to New Mexico with an 'outside the box' attitude. She created a rich practice, integrating homeopathy and herbal supplementation with her allopathic training, and established deep relationships with many of her patients. Dr. Greene was one of the first MD's in the country to use thermography to screen for breast cancer.
Dr. Greene had personal reasons for joining the fight for early cancer detection. In 1999 she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After initial surgery, she treated her own cancer using alternative therapies and after going into remission, she returned to work. She brought with her a renewed passion and understanding for all who have experienced a diagnosis of cancer. Dr. Greene understood the emotional toll, the stress of making life-and-death decisions, the trials of wading through information about treatment procedures and options. She profoundly understood the importance of finding cancer early. Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers. Dr. Greene understood that here was a place in cancer's path where she could positively change the statistics using thermography.
Kate Ater, DOM began working with Dr. Greene in 2006. With Dr. Greene's mentoring she provided consultations to Dr. Greene's thermography patients and trained to interpret thermograms. Under Dr. Greene's watchful eye (and with the "help" of her frank and often loud New York accent) she met Dr. Greene's very demanding standard. One clinic that has received numerous thermography interpretations from both Dr. Greene and Dr. Ater stated that they could not tell the difference between reports: an obvious testament to Dr. Greene's critical eye, persistent assessment, and hard-won approval.
Dr. Greene experienced a recurrence of cancer in early 2009. She fought it using all tools at her disposal, including a fierce determination that helped her become the dedicated doctor she was. In December of 2009 she passed away, with loved ones at her side.
Dr. Ater carries on in her spirit. Her intention is to help detect breast cancer as early as possible. She hopes to help many avoid cancer altogether by recognizing high risk breast tissue environments and shifting them into healthy breast tissue environments before cancer can take hold.
Certified Thermologist
Certified Thermologist
Certified Thermologist
Dr. Kate Ater has been a licensed DOM in the state of New Mexico since 2002. She is certified as a medical thermologist by The American Academy of Thermography (AAT). AAT is the only certifying body for thermography in the United States certifying physicians only; in order to help protect high standards as thermography grows in the Uni
Dr. Kate Ater has been a licensed DOM in the state of New Mexico since 2002. She is certified as a medical thermologist by The American Academy of Thermography (AAT). AAT is the only certifying body for thermography in the United States certifying physicians only; in order to help protect high standards as thermography grows in the United States. Dr. Ater is a primary care physician with a Masters degree in Oriental Medicine from the International Institute of Chinese Medicine. She is certified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbology by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM). As part of her training, she completed an internship at the Chinese-Japanese Friendship Hospital in Beijing and later, an internship at the Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Sichuan province of China. She is fluent in Spanish having lived in Oaxaca, Mexico. Additionally she is certified in cranio-sacral therapy, CORE synchronism, sho ni shin and kinesiology.
As Dr. Ater's practice grew, she found herself working mostly with women. Her experience in women's health, particularly using herbs and acupuncture to help balance women's hormones naturally, brought her to Dr. Janet Greene, MD. Dr. Greene was the first MD to bring thermography to New Mexico. Her dedication and passion were reflected in her practice and attitude about the importance of thermography in women's health.
In 2006 Dr. Ater began training with Dr. Greene. Dr. Greene was one of the forerunners in breast thermography for cancer screening in the United States. Prior to Dr. Greene's passing in December of 2009, Dr. Ater promised her that she would continue to make quality thermography available to women. Dr. Ater follows Dr. Greene's procedures, interpretation guidelines, protocols and report layout.
As a native New Mexican, Dr. Ater is grateful for the opportunity to bring a deeper layer of empowerment to the women of her home state. In thermography, women find another tool to help monitor their health in a safe way.
Mission
Certified Thermologist
Mission
My mission is simple and clear: to help women take care of themselves.
You are the one who knows best what feels 'normal'. You are the one who decides when and how you are going to monitor your breast health. Thermography is a tool. It is a piece of the puzzle that I can offer to help find abnormalities in the breast tissue before a
My mission is simple and clear: to help women take care of themselves.
You are the one who knows best what feels 'normal'. You are the one who decides when and how you are going to monitor your breast health. Thermography is a tool. It is a piece of the puzzle that I can offer to help find abnormalities in the breast tissue before abnormal growth begins. I offer counsel regarding breast health. The health of your breasts depends on your diet, your stress level, what methods you use to relieve stress, sufficiency of vitamins and minerals in your body, exercise, genetics, hormone balance, hormone replacement therapy, age, ancestry; there are so many factors. I provide a space where we can talk about all of them openly and in confidence. I do not take your picture, take your money, hand you a report and say, "Call me next year."
In a way, your breast health reflects your total body health. Your breast health may be a jumping off point to finding balance in the health of your whole body. You have the power to attain that balance.
Email TwoBirdsThermography@gmail.com or call 505.247.2127
You are your own master. Nobody knows you better than your own self.
~~~Empowering yourself through education and listening to your intuition is the best way to stay healthy. Read, research, listen and seek the answers you are looking for. There is so much information out there and, ultimately, you are the one who lives in your body. It is up to you to listen to it and take care of it.
Hours
Today | By Appointment |
