(0:00 - 1:32) Picture this, it's time for your annual breast screening, your doctor recommends another mammogram, your friend swears by thermography instead, and you're left wondering, which one is actually right for me? In today's episode of the Informed Healing series, we're going to clear the confusion and talk about something most people never hear. Thermography detects changes in physiology and function. Mammography detects changes in structure.   Understanding this difference is crucial, because it tells you what each test can actually reveal, where each one falls short and why the smartest approach often involves knowing how to combine them, not just choosing one over the other. Not all changes in the body show up the same way, or at the same time. Mammography uses low-dose x-ray imaging to spot structural changes like calcifications, tumors, or distortions in breast tissue.   Thermography uses infrared technology to detect functional changes, shifts in blood flow, heat, and vascular activity that can indicate inflammation or metabolic stress, sometimes before a visible mass forms. Why does this distinction matter? Because function can often change before structure does. Your blood vessels may react to early stem-cellular changes long before an x-ray reveals anything.   (1:33 - 1:57) On the flip side, a structural change may not tell us whether the tissue is active, aggressive, or even threatening. Think of it like your car. Thermography checks how the engine is sensing heat and performance.   Mammography checks the frame and parts. It sees what's physically there. Both give valuable insights, but neither tells the whole story on its own.   (1:58 - 3:17) For decades, mammography has been the standard BRICS cancer screening tool. It has saved lives, particularly for women over 40 and those at moderate to high risk. But it's not perfect, and even some national guidelines are shifting as new research emerges.   Recently, Sweden scaled back routine mammography in certain national programs, particularly for lower-risk populations, after reviews raised concerns about overdiagnosis, false positives, as well as cumulative radiation and its overall impact on mortality. This doesn't mean the mammograms have been eliminated. They remain recommended for many women.   But it's a reminder that even widely accepted tools can be re-evaluated, and that standard does not always mean ideal for everyone. Thermography is sometimes dismissed because it can't diagnose cancer on its own, and that's true. It should never be seen as a replacement for structural imaging.   However, research shows that when thermography is used in conjunction with tools like mammography or ultrasound, it can significantly enhance the screening and monitoring process. By tracking physiological shifts, it can do the following. Highlight early changes in heat and vascularity that may warrant follow-up.   (3:17 - 6:13) Provide a no-radiation, no-compression method for monitoring breast health trends, as well as help evaluate whether interventions are reducing inflammation or vascular stress over time. When interpreted by experienced professionals and integrated into a broader care plan, thermography adds depth, not confusion, to breast health strategies. So how do you know which screening approach serves you best? Start by considering the following.   Number one, your personal risk profile. This includes family history, genetics, lifestyle, and previous findings. Then number two, your age and breast density.   Dense breast tissue can make mammograms harder to interpret, which is where adjunctive tools may add value. And then number three, what each test offers. Do you need to see how your body is functioning, thermography, what structures exist, mammography, or both? And then number four, how the results will change your care.   Will they inform a clear plan or just add stress? Often the most empowering choice is layered screening, using functional and structural tools together, bred by someone who understands their synergy rather than treating them as opposing choices. Let's end off with some practical guidance. Before scheduling your next screening, ask your provider the following questions.   What exactly is this test designed to detect? And what can it tell me? If possible, consider pairing functional and structural tools for a more complete picture. Three, focus on how the results will guide decisions, not just the numbers or images. And then choose a practitioner who can integrate both perspectives, so you leave with clarity, not confusion.   Screening tools are just that, tools. They don't guarantee health or prevent disease on their own. But when you understand that thermography shows function and physiology, while mammography shows structure, you can use each for what it does best, without fear, confusion, or blind trust.   True empowerment doesn't come from choosing one over the other. It comes from knowing how to use the right combination for the right reasons, so your results actually lead to better outcomes. In our next episode, we're turning up the pressure, literally.   We'll be unpacking the real story behind blood pressure. Is it always dangerous? Is 120 over 80 really the gold standard? And what if your elevated BP is actually your body's way of adapting to deeper dysfunctions, like inflammation, mineral imbalances, or chronic stress? We'll explore why blood pressure is often a symptom, not a root cause, and how a functional whole body approach can reveal the truth behind the numbers. Because sometimes, lowering your blood pressure isn't the answer.   Understanding why it's high is where true healing begins. Don't miss this episode.