What is a a QT scan? It’s a new form of breast imaging for women that offers hope in the fight against breast cancer. The field of women’s health is constantly evolving, and it’s crucial that we stay informed about the latest advancements.
When it comes to breast health, the earlier we can identify an issue, the better. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer women experience. Mammograms have been used for screening imaging for over 50 years, but they are associated with risks.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Yvonne Karney. She’s a traditionally trained gynecologist who realized she needed more tools to be able to serve her patients better. Dr. Karney transitioned into offering integrative care to her patients and is now offering QT scan technology (also called QT imaging).
The Current State of Breast Imaging
When it comes to breast imaging, the current standard for screening for breast cancer is a mammogram. In some cases, ultrasound, MRI, thermography, and/or biopsy are used to identify abnormalities in breast tissue, but how to know which is best and is there something better?
Dr. Karney, as a gynecologist for over 25 years, has ordered thousands of imaging studies on women. This extensive experience has given her unique insights into the strengths and weaknesses of current breast imaging techniques. It’s important to note that despite the emphasis on regular screenings, many women are not getting a mammogram regularly.
The CDC estimates that 30 to 40% of women who are eligible for mammograms based on age don’t get screened. This is a significant portion of the population potentially missing out on early detection opportunities.
Women have shared their concerns about why they wouldn’t get screened, including fear of radiation, pain from compression, and anxiety from callbacks that often end up being nothing but cause significant stress while waiting for the all-clear.
These concerns are valid and deserve to be addressed. The emotional and physical toll of breast screening can be substantial, and it’s crucial that we consider these factors when discussing breast health with our patients.
And the question remains: How can women take charge of their breast health and be more preventive while also monitoring for potential issues?
Limitations of Traditional Breast Imaging
In traditional gynecology training, doctors aren’t really able to address these concerns fully. They often respond with, “Well, a mammogram is better than undiagnosed breast cancer,” and provide a prescription for screening.
However, there’s always been a nagging question: Is that the best we have? Doesn’t radiation cause cancer? These questions need and deserve to be answered.
Dr. Karney points out that the concept of informed consent has been missing for 50 years in women’s breast imaging. This is a startling realization when we consider how central informed consent is to ethical medical practice. Informed consent relies on an honest conversation about what we know, what we’re doing, what the limitations are, and what the benefits are. Limitations are different from risks because risks can cause harm, whereas limitations are just things we don’t know.
It’s crucial that we start having these conversations with our patients. Women deserve to understand fully what they’re agreeing to when they undergo breast imaging. They should be aware of the potential benefits, the limitations of the technology, and any risks associated with the procedure.
The Importance of Early Detection
The reason breast imaging is important and why we’ve been doing it for 50 years is that if we image the breast, we can catch a problem about 10 years before it would become apparent to the patient. This is estimated based on the doubling time of most tumors. Imaging studies can pick up abnormalities when they’re 1 to 2mm in size, whereas a woman typically can’t feel a lump until it’s about a centimeter.
This early detection capability is one of the strongest arguments for regular breast screening. The ability to identify potential issues years before they become palpable can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
Early detection makes treatment easier because it’s much simpler to remove a little tiny area with some normal tissue around it than to remove a larger area or even the entire breast. When we catch breast cancer early, we have more treatment options available. We can often perform less invasive procedures, potentially avoiding mastectomies and preserving more of the breast tissue.
The ultimate goal is decreasing death from cancer, and while the death rate from breast cancer has declined, we don’t think that’s attributable to screening. We believe it’s due to advances in treatment. However, early detection still offers significant advantages in terms of treatment options and outcomes.
It’s important to note that while screening doesn’t prevent deaths from breast cancer, it does improve quality of life for many women by allowing for less aggressive treatments. A woman who has a small tumor removed is likely to have a much easier recovery than one who needs a mastectomy or extensive chemotherapy.
Alternative Imaging Options
There are some other options available for breast imaging, though they’re not yet considered official recommendations. These include thermography and ultrasound. It’s important that women are aware of these options, even if they’re not standard practice, so they can make informed decisions about their breast health.
Ultrasound is more common, especially for women with dense breasts. About 40 to 50% of women have dense breasts, and mammograms are not very good at finding small lesions in these cases. That’s why they often suggest adding ultrasound for women with dense breasts.
Dense breast tissue appears white on a mammogram, just like tumors do. This makes it difficult to distinguish between normal tissue and potential abnormalities. It’s like trying to find a polar bear in a snowstorm. Ultrasound can help in these cases because it uses sound waves rather than X-rays, providing a different view of the breast tissue.
However, ultrasound has its limitations. It’s operator-dependent, meaning the quality of the results can vary based on who’s performing the scan. The technician needs to be thorough and skilled to ensure they don’t miss any areas of the breast. Additionally, ultrasound uses reflection, like sonar, which can create artifacts and make it difficult to accurately assess the size and nature of abnormalities.
Another alternative imaging method is thermography. This technique measures heat patterns in the breast tissue, based on the idea that cancerous areas may have increased blood flow and thus be warmer than surrounding tissue. While thermography has some benefits, such as being non-invasive and radiation-free, it also has significant limitations. It’s very sensitive but not specific, meaning it can pick up areas of inflammation that may not be related to cancer at all.
Introduction to QT Imaging
This is where QT imaging comes in, and it’s revolutionary. QT imaging uses the speed of sound through tissue as well as traditional ultrasound. There are studies that validate how fast sound travels through different types of tissues, allowing this technology to distinguish tissue types that would normally only be confirmed through biopsy.
QT imaging represents a significant advancement in breast imaging technology. It combines the benefits of ultrasound with additional data points to provide a more comprehensive view of breast tissue. This technology has the potential to address many of the limitations we see with current imaging methods.
QT imaging can find lesions less than a millimeter in size. This is even more precise than mammography, which typically detects lesions of 1-2mm. The QT scan machine picks up 36 billion data points as it’s rotating and analyzing the images. This vast amount of data allows for incredibly detailed imaging of the breast tissue.
One of the most significant advantages of QT imaging is that it does all this with no compression, no radiation, and no IV contrast. This addresses many of the concerns women have expressed about mammography, including pain from compression and fear of radiation exposure.
The procedure for QT imaging is quite different from a traditional mammogram. The woman lies on a bed with a hole for one breast at a time. The breast is submerged in warm, body-temperature water, and the imaging device circles very slowly around the breast, ensuring no gaps or missed information. This method is much more comfortable for most women compared to the compression required for mammography.
Advantages of QT Imaging
QT imaging provides true 3D imaging, unlike the “3D mammograms” you might have heard about. Those are actually approximated 3D by stacking 2D images on top of each other, leaving 2mm gaps between each segment. These gaps mean that small abnormalities could potentially be missed.
QT imaging, on the other hand, does volumetric imaging due to the way the probes are angled and the vast number of data points collected. This means it creates a true three-dimensional image of the breast tissue, with no gaps or missing information. This comprehensive view allows for more accurate detection and characterization of any abnormalities.
Another significant advantage of QT imaging is its ability to distinguish between different types of tissue. This means it can often determine whether a lesion is solid or fluid-filled, which is crucial information when deciding whether a biopsy is necessary. Mammograms often struggle with this distinction, leading to unnecessary biopsies and the anxiety that comes with them.
This technology can even be used to monitor response to therapy in as little as two weeks because they can measure something called doubling time. If the doubling time is negative, that means something’s getting smaller. They’re starting to figure out how to use it to determine how fast something is growing, which can help assess the seriousness of an abnormality.
This ability to monitor treatment response quickly could be game-changing in breast cancer treatment. Currently, doctors often have to wait months to determine if a treatment is working. With QT imaging, they could potentially make that determination in just a couple of weeks, allowing for faster adjustments to treatment plans if necessary.
Availability and Cost of QT Imaging
Dr. Karney’s clinic is one of the first to have a QT scanner. She and a few other forward-thinking trailblazers decided this technology needs to be made available to women now. If we wait for imaging centers to adopt it, it could take 10 to 15 years, if at all. The current system is very entrenched, and there are financial motivations to maintain the status quo.
It’s important to understand why this technology isn’t more widely available yet. The current breast imaging system, centered around mammography, is a multi-billion dollar industry. There’s little financial incentive for large healthcare systems to adopt new technologies that might disrupt this established model.
Additionally, many hospitals are owned by investment companies and hedge funds. These entities are primarily concerned with profitability, which can sometimes conflict with adopting new technologies that might be better for patients but less profitable in the short term.
Currently, the pricing structure at Dr. Karney’s clinic is $550 for a screening QT scan (for women with no symptoms and no previous history of cancer or abnormalities) and $625 for a diagnostic scan. While this might seem expensive, especially compared to insurance-covered mammograms, it’s important to consider the potential benefits and reduced need for follow-up imaging.
The frequency of scans depends on individual risk factors, but typically, they recommend a repeat scan after one year, and then every other year for normal-risk women. High-risk women may need annual scans. This is similar to current mammography guidelines, but with the added benefits of increased comfort and potentially more accurate results.
It’s worth noting that QT imaging is not currently covered by insurance. This is often the case with new medical technologies. As more data is collected and the benefits become more widely recognized, there’s hope that insurance companies will begin to cover this type of imaging in the future.
Comparison with Other Imaging Methods
When compared to other imaging methods like thermography, QT imaging offers significant advantages. Thermography looks at inflammation, which can be a precursor to cancer. However, it’s very sensitive but not specific. It can pick up inflammation from various sources, not just potential cancers, leading to unnecessary worry and follow-up imaging.
For example, if a woman has a simple cold or even a mosquito bite, it could show up as an area of inflammation on a thermogram. This could lead to unnecessary anxiety and additional testing, all for something that was completely benign.
QT imaging, on the other hand, is more specific. It can pick up lesions smaller than a millimeter, which is even more precise than mammograms. This is particularly beneficial for women with dense breasts, who are often recommended to start screening in their 30s if they have a family history or genetic predisposition to breast cancer.
For these high-risk women, current guidelines often recommend alternating between mammograms and breast MRIs every six months. However, breast MRIs require IV contrast with a heavy metal called gadolinium, which can have its own risks and side effects. QT imaging could potentially provide similar or better information without the need for contrast agents.
It’s important to note that while QT imaging shows great promise, it’s not about competing with mammography. Mammography is still the established, FDA-cleared method for breast cancer screening. The goal is to provide women with more options and to ensure they’re fully informed about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of each screening method.
Prevention of Breast Cancer
As we look to the future of breast imaging, it’s important to recognize that while early detection is crucial, it’s not the whole story when it comes to breast health. The breast cancer tumor itself is not the problem; it’s the inflammation and suppressed immune system that lead to cancer development.
All this breast imaging is important, but it doesn’t prevent cancer.
This is a crucial point that often gets overlooked in discussions about breast health. We put so much emphasis on screening and early detection, which are indeed important, but we sometimes forget about prevention. We need to shift some of our focus to understanding why cancer develops in the first place and what we can do to prevent it.
The only way to prevent cancer is to eat right, get rid of toxins in your life, and learn how to manage your stress. Even with a family history, 85% of breast cancers are not from genetic factors; they’re from toxic lifestyle and environmental burdens. This statistic is both alarming and empowering. It means that the vast majority of breast cancers might be preventable through lifestyle changes.
It’s also worth noting that the breast is primarily fatty tissue, which tends to store toxins. This makes the breasts particularly vulnerable to the effects of environmental toxins. By reducing our toxic load and supporting our body’s natural detoxification processes, we may be able to significantly reduce our risk of breast cancer.
We may not have control over the toxins we were exposed to earlier in our lives, but now that we’re learning about these issues, we can take steps to reduce our exposure, and support our body’s detoxification processes. This includes being mindful of the products we use in our homes, the food we eat, and even the clothing we wear.
Stress management is another crucial factor in cancer prevention that often gets overlooked. Chronic stress can suppress our immune system, making us more vulnerable to all kinds of health issues, including cancer. Learning effective stress management techniques should be a key part of any breast health strategy.
A Holistic Approach to Breast Health and Overall Health
While advanced imaging techniques like QT imaging offer exciting possibilities for early detection, it’s crucial to remember that true breast health begins with our daily choices. We need to focus on supporting our immune system through proper sleep, nutrition, stress management, and toxin reduction.
Family history is not your destiny; it just tells you where your body might be more vulnerable. We have so much more power than we think to control our health if we’re willing to take charge. This is an empowering message that we need to share with all women. Your genes are not your fate; your choices have a profound impact on your health.
As a doctor who has transitioned from traditional gynecology to a more integrative approach, Dr. Karney hasseen firsthand the benefits of addressing the root causes of health issues rather than just treating symptoms. It’s about optimizing our micronutrients, managing stress, improving sleep quality, and reconnecting with the wisdom our grandparents knew but we’ve forgotten.
This transition wasn’t easy. In traditional medical training, we’re taught to follow algorithms and not ask too many questions. But as I started to struggle with my own health issues, experiencing exhaustion and burnout, she realized that the conventional approach wasn’t enough. She shared that she didn’t like who she was becoming, and knew she needed to find a better way.
As Dr. Karney began learning more about health from an integrative perspective, she realized that many of my patients had been crying out for this kind of approach for years. There’s an intimacy you have with your OB/GYN, and many women would tell me they didn’t know what was wrong, but they knew something wasn’t right, even when their regular doctor said all their labs were normal.
She started to dive deeper into issues like thyroid function, inflammation, and the root causes of illness. She was shocked to realize how much of this information she had never learned in medical school. The conventional model she was trained in was focused on surgically removing problems or suppressing symptoms with medications, but she wasn’t given enough tools to really make a difference in her patients’ overall health.
Once Dr.Karney realized that she could help people not just manage symptoms but truly heal and be their best selves, she couldn’t go back. She had to leave her conventional practice and start her own integrative clinic. It wasn’t an easy decision, but she knew it was the right one for her and for her patients.
This journey has led Dr. Karney to embrace new technologies like QT imaging, but also to emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors in maintaining breast health and overall wellness. It’s not about rejecting conventional medicine entirely – there are many things that traditional medicine does very well. If you break your leg, you should absolutely go to the emergency room and have them put a cast on it. But when it comes to chronic inflammatory conditions or health optimization, we need a different approach.
By combining advanced detection methods like QT imaging with a holistic approach to health, we can take significant steps towards preventing breast cancer and promoting overall wellness. Remember, it’s not just about being “fine” according to standard medical tests; it’s about being the best version of yourself and truly thriving.
I, Dr. Doni, encourage all women to take charge of their breast health. Learn about the different screening options available to you, including new technologies like QT imaging. But also focus on the lifestyle factors that can help prevent cancer in the first place.
Eat a healthy diet, reduce your exposure to environmental toxins, master your stress, and prioritize good sleep habits. All of these factors contribute to your overall health and can play a significant role in preventing not just breast cancer, but many other health issues as well.
It’s also important to be your own advocate when it comes to your health. If you feel that something isn’t right with your body, don’t be afraid to speak up and ask questions. Even if your standard lab tests come back normal, if you’re not feeling well, there might be underlying issues that need to be addressed. This is where an integrative approach can be particularly helpful, as it looks at the whole person, not just individual symptoms or test results.
The Role of Inflammation and Integrative Medicine
One of the key factors to understand is the crucial role that inflammation plays in disease development, including breast cancer. Inflammation is the root of all illness, and yet this is something I never learned in standard medical school. It’s a fundamental concept that can change how we approach health and disease prevention.
When we talk about breast cancer, we often focus on the tumor itself. But the tumor is really just a symptom of a larger problem. The real issue is the inflammation and suppressed immune system that allowed the cancer to develop in the first place. By addressing these root causes, we can potentially prevent cancer from developing at all.
This is why a holistic approach to breast health is so important. We need to look at all the factors that contribute to inflammation in the body – diet, stress, environmental toxins, sleep quality, and more. By addressing these factors, we can create an environment in the body that’s less hospitable to cancer development.
It’s important to understand that conventional medicine, while incredibly valuable in many ways, has its limitations when it comes to chronic health issues and disease prevention. When you go to your regular doctor and say you want to be the best you can be, they’re likely to take your blood pressure, check your weight, run a few standard labs, and if everything falls within normal ranges, they’ll tell you you’re fine.
But many of us don’t want to just be “fine.” We want to be our best selves, to optimize our health and wellbeing. Unfortunately, conventional medicine isn’t really geared towards this kind of health optimization. It’s designed to diagnose and treat disease, not to help already healthy people become even healthier.
This is where what is referred to as integrative or functional medicine comes in. By combining the best of conventional medicine with evidence-based naturopathic therapies and lifestyle interventions, we can address not just symptoms, but the root causes of health issues. We can help people truly optimize their health, not just avoid disease.
Conclusion and Next Steps
As we look to the future, Dr. Karney and I are excited about the possibilities that new technologies like QT imaging offer. These advancements have the potential to make breast screening more comfortable, more accurate, and potentially even safer for women.
But I’m equally excited about the growing recognition of the importance of a holistic approach to health. More and more, we’re seeing a shift towards addressing the root causes of disease, rather than just treating symptoms. We’re recognizing the interconnectedness of different bodily systems and the impact that lifestyle factors can have on our health.
This shift is empowering for women. It means that we have more control over our health than we might have previously thought. While we can’t control our genetics, we can control many of the factors that influence how those genes are expressed. We can make choices every day that support our health and reduce our risk of diseases like breast cancer.
In closing, I want to emphasize that taking charge of your breast health is not just about avoiding disease. It’s about embracing wellness, optimizing your health, and living your best life. By combining the best of modern technology with time-tested wellness practices, we can create a comprehensive approach to breast health that empowers women to truly thrive.
I’m so grateful that Dr. Karney is a friend of mine, and that she was able to come talk this through with us today.
Dr. Karney offers QT scans at her clinic in the Chicago area. People are even flying in for the day to complete the imaging because there are so few clinics offering QT imaging at this point in time. You don’t need to become a patient of the practice to have the imaging done.
You can book a QT scan by going to ChicagoBreastImaging.com or https://vitalityrenewal.org/breast-imaging/. You can also find Dr. Karney on Instagram @yvonnekarneymd and Facebook @Yvonnekarneymd
My passion for women’s health has led me to focus on helping women prevent cervical cancer caused by HPV. In many ways, what we discussed in this episode about preventing breast cancer applies to preventing cervical and vaginal cancer.
If you would like to learn about my proven protocol to prevent HPV related cancer, you can go to clearhpvnow.com. There, you’ll find lots of resources and stories from women I’ve helped. You can see that this approach really works, and it can work for you too.
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These programs are great ways for you to access my protocol, products, doses, stress recovery, and dietary support from online. In the Say Goodbye to HPV Program you’ll also get access to order testing and vaginal suppositories.
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