Medical Thermal Imaging

A Message from Lord Pickles and Lord Blunkett, followed by Medical Thermal Imaging's best practice article

The ability to listen and learn from one another has always been vital in parliament, in business and in most aspects of daily life. But at this particular moment in time, as national and global events continue to reiterate, it is uncommonly crucial that we forge new channels of communication and reinforce existing ones. The following article from Medical Thermal Imaging is an attempt to do just that. We would welcome your thoughts on this or any other Parliamentary Review article.

Rt Hon The Lord David Blunkett

Rt Hon The Lord Eric Pickles

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1MEDICAL THERMAL IMAGING |

BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020

Directors Phil and Rosa Hughes

receiving an award for their film,

The Promise

Left breast cancer

In 2008, Phil and Rosa Hughes established the first

thermography clinic in Liverpool. Twelve years on, Phil says

they have built up working relations with 40 clinics across the

country, including three mobile units. Today, thermography is

used to recognise variations in thermal emissions from the body,

which can assist in recognising the early stages of developing

pathology. Phil tells

The Parliamentary Review

about the benefits

of non-invasive techniques, the importance of early screening and

how thermography as an adjunctive test can be used to improve

diagnostic representation.

Our introduction to medical digital infrared thermal imaging happened in 2006

when my wife, Rosa, discovered a lump in her left breast. The discovery created

a time of stress, apprehension and fear. We knew it was important to determine

whether the lump was benign or malignant. We also made a firm decision that,

whatever the outcome, we were not going to go to war with the lump, nor were

we going to expose Rosa to anything that would increase the risk of cancer.

A friend who was aware of our dilemma asked if we had considered thermography.

We hadn’t heard of thermography, but what she told us about the procedure

created a curiosity that warranted research into the subject. We were amazed to

find an abundance of quality research in PubMed, displaying the benefits of DITI.

The procedure fit all of Rosa’s requirements, and we proceeded to look for a clinic

offering the service. At the time, there were very few practices, but we eventually

found a clinic in Harley Street that suited our needs, and we made arrangements

for Rosa to be imaged. When the images were interpreted, they showed Rosa was

at extremely high risk for malignancy. The upside, however, was that we were

FACTS ABOUT

MEDICAL THERMAL IMAGING

»Directors: Phil and Rosa

Hughes

»Established in 2008

»Based in Liverpool

»Services: Digital infrared

thermal imaging

»No. of employees: 11

»www.medscans.co.uk

Medical Thermal

Imaging

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

2| MEDICAL THERMAL IMAGING

able to monitor Rosa’s condition and

treatments without increasing risk. As

such, Rosa is alive today and very well.

Opening the first thermography

clinic in Liverpool

We were so impressed with the studies

and technology that in 2008 we

trained in thermography, bought our

first medical infrared imaging camera

and opened the first thermography

clinic in Liverpool. Over the last 12

years, we have built up relationships

with over 40 clinics nationwide. We

updated our cameras in 2017 and

now have three mobile units and a

static workstation at our head office

nearLiverpool.

We have also undergone advanced

training in the US, and have passed

additional exams through the

International Academy of Clinical

Thermography. The continued

advancements in modern-day

sophisticated imaging cameras,

computers and software technology

provide our digital infrared thermal-

imaging systems with the capability

to look at the human body in ways

never before possible.

Our state of-the-art systems have

the ability to recognise minute

variations in thermal emissions from

the body and convert the findings

into extremely high resolution

images. The images can then

undergo digital manipulation, which

helps our doctors to interpret the

images, enabling them to provide

an accurate risk assessment, and

offers an aid to early diagnosis.

Detection of abnormalities at this

early stage presents the possibility

of less aggressive interventions that

can prevent tumour growth.

This safe test of physiology provides

us with an incredible opportunity

to positively change the course

of breast cancer. There are many

benefits of DITI, including that it is

not invasive in any form, it is not

limited by age or breast density,

there is no exposure to the dangers

of ionising radiation and no

damaging or painful compression

of the breast is required. This

simple, safe test provides the

welcome opportunity to include

the millions of younger women

who are not automatically included

in the existing routine screening

programme.

It is these younger women, who

are shown to be at an elevated risk

of developing aggressive breast

cancers, who can now have a

suitable imagingtest.

We bought our first

medical infrared imaging

camera and opened our

first clinic in Liverpool in

2008

ITI is a valuable

adjunct to

mammography

and ultrasound,

especially in

women with

dense breast

parenchyma

The American Journal

of Surgery, 2008

“

3MEDICAL THERMAL IMAGING |

BEST PRACTICE SPONSOR 2020

A misunderstood technology

Although there is a growing demand

for our services, we are not even

scratching the surface of what

thermography is capable of, with one

of the key challenges being that it is

a misunderstood technology. There

could, no doubt, be more clinics, with

the 40 clinics that we do work with

having materialised through word of

mouth. Thermography is, for some

reason, looked upon as a threat or

challenge to mammography. This

should not be the case, however, as

they are two very different tests. One

is a test of anatomy, while the other is

a test of physiology; each test provides

totally different information which

when used together can provide and

aid accurate diagnosis.

Women in their early 30s have one

of the highest rates of breast cancer.

Despite this, existing screening

procedures do not typically start until

age 50.

By the time some women have been

tested, they may already be between

six and ten years late. If someone

discovers a lesion or a tumour at 35,

it has probably been developing since

their twenties.

We are not suggesting that

thermography is a replacement for

mammograms but rather an adjunctive

service, that provides the opportunity

to millions of younger women to be

safely imaged.

Misinformation is an obvious challenge

but we have shown that the general

public are becoming more aware of

how to source medical evidence that

enables them to make an informed

decision on medical treatments

andprocedures.

In addition to the advancements in

camera and software technology

we are also looking to AI to improve

diagnostic representation.

Our future and the future of

thermography

Some women are either better suited

to thermography or are seeking

another option to mammograms.

Demand for thermography is growing,

and we are currently making visits

across the country, visiting some

clinicsmonthly.

Thermography is recognised as an

adjunct to mammography and also

offers a unique service for those

members of the public who are not

suited to mammography: women

who have had breasts amputated,

men, younger women with dense

breast tissue and those who

simply want to avoid exposure to

ionisingradiation.

Our message is simple, we are

providing a safe service suitable

for all ages that can offer earlier

detection of breast abnormalities

and monitor pathology without

increasing risk.

As a future risk

indicator for

breast cancer a

persistent

abnormal

thermograph

carries a

22-times higher

risk and is ten

times more

significant than

a first order

family history of

disease

Elliot, Head, 2002

“

Thermography is

recognised as an adjunct

to mammography

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This article was sponsored by Medical Thermal Imaging. The Parliamentary Review is wholly funded by the representatives who write for it. The publication in which this article originally appeared contained the following foreword from Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss.

Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss's Foreword For The Parliamentary Review

By Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss

Even by the standards of the day –this has been one of the most exciting and unpredictable years in British politics.

The leadership election we’ve just seen marks a huge moment in our country’s history. This government is taking a decisive new direction, embracing the opportunities of Brexit and preparing our country to flourish outside the EU.

As international trade secretary, I’ll be driving forward work on the free trade agreements that are going to be a priority for the government. Free trade isn’t just an abstract concept bandied around by technocrats. It is crucial for a strong economy and for the ability of families to make ends meet. Free trade benefits people in every part of our country, as British firms export to new markets and people doing the weekly shop have access to a wider choice of goods at lower prices.

The essence of free trade is in the title: freedom. It’s about giving people the power to exchange their goods without heavy government taxation or interference. Commerce and free exchange are the engine room of prosperity and social mobility. I’m determined to tackle the forces who want to hold that back.

One of my priorities is agreeing an exciting new free trade deal with the US, building on the great relationship between our two countries and the Prime Minister and US President. But I’ll also be talking to other partners including New Zealand, Australia and fast-growing Asian markets.

And with the EU too, we want a friendly and constructive relationship, as constitutional equals, and as friends and partners in facing the challenges that lie ahead – a relationship based on a deep free trade agreement. Our country produces some of the world’s most successful exports, and the opportunity to bring these to the rest of the world should make us all excited about the future. It is this excitement, optimism and ambition which I believe will come to define this government.

For too long now, we have been told Britain isn’t big or important enough to survive outside the EU – that we have to accept a deal that reflects our reduced circumstances. I say that’s rubbish. With the right policies in place, we can be the most competitive, free-thinking, prosperous nation on Earth exporting to the world and leading in new developments like AI. To do that, we’ll give the brilliant next generation of entrepreneurs the tools they need to succeed. Since 2015, there has been a staggering 85 per cent rise in the number of businesses set up by 18 to 24 year olds – twice the level set up by the same age group in France and Germany. We’ll help them flourish by championing enterprise, cutting taxes and making regulation flexible and responsive to their needs.

As we do that, we’ll level up and unite all parts of the UK with great transport links, fibre broadband in every home and proper school funding, so everyone shares in our country’s success.

2019 has been the year of brewing economic and political revolution. 2020 will be the year when a revitalised Conservative government turbo charges the economy, boosts prospects for people across the country, and catapults Britain back to the forefront of the world stage.

Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss
Secretary of State for International Development