By now, you have probably seen – or at least heard about – the documentary, “The Truth About Cancer.”

In the nine-part series, the filmmaker goes on a global quest to track down as many insights into forms of treatment around the globe, and to learn as much as possible about the medical industry surrounding the disease.

Opinions on treatment options vary wildly, but when it comes to early detection regarding breast health maintenance, there is one “truth,” long held by leading medical experts, being spoken with more frequency and volume – thermography.

The technology - administered locally by certified clinical thermographers and sisters Shelly Laine, Cecilia Laine-Meinhold and Tanis Clark at Beacon Thermography, Inc. - is a non-invasive tool used to identify changes in the body over time. For women concerned with breast health, for example, thermography can begin detecting vascular changes at the one-year mark.

That’s a significant point, considering the rapid and alarming growth rate of breast cancer cells. Within a year, two cells become 16. In four, 16 have advanced to more than 65,000.

But it takes around eight years, on average, before those cells have multiplied to approximately four billion to create a structure that anatomical tests, such as mammograms, MRIs and ultrasound, can detect.

Since thermography captures heat patterns of your body, not structures within your body, as mammography, x-rays and MRIs do, the slightest variation – just 16 cancer cells – can be detected. And, more importantly, earlier detection of potential abnormal conditions can translate into better treatment options and a better overall outcome for patients.

It’s for that reason internationally recognized wellness practitioners, oncologists, OB/GYNs, women’s health leaders and surgeons are increasingly advocating thermography alongside routine anatomical tests, since these two types of services work together, not in competition.

So, what are doctors saying about thermography, exactly?

In his best-selling book, “No Ma’amograms,” Dr. Ben Johnson, M.D., N.M.D., D.O., calls thermography a “safe way of tracking breast health and heading off cancer development before it starts.”

Dr. Veronique Desaulniers, a wellness expert and breast cancer survivor, notes in “Heal Breast Cancer Naturally” that, in addition to the benefit of early detection, thermography is done with “no radiation, no compression, no pain and no touching.”

New York Times-bestselling author Dr. Christiane Northrup cites studies that show thermogram “identifies precancerous or cancerous cells earlier, produces unambiguous results, which cuts down on additional testing, and doesn’t hurt the body.”

Distinguished author and women’s health expert Dr. Susan M. Lark believes “thermography has the unique ability to “map” the individual thermal fingerprint of a woman’s breasts.”

Indeed, that “map” is what Shelly and her team can create for you at Beacon Thermography. A digital infrared camera measures your body’s surface temperature, and those images reveal heat patterns that could be a sign of a condition or abnormality.

Once thermal images are captured, they are reviewed by medical doctors, who are also board-certified thermologists. Taking into consideration a patient’s symptoms, health history and thermography results, the doctor will then report results and may make recommendations.

Often, in the case of abnormal results, the recommendation is to schedule a mammogram, ultrasound, x-ray or blood work.

Of the many advantages to thermography, perhaps the most significant is one Dr. Northrup points to – it consistently provides results that are unique to you and your body, ensuring you receive “true prevention” and real peace of mind.

Let Shelly and her team at Beacon provide you with the benefits of well-being through thermography. They offer services in the following locations: Elite Chiropractic, Landfall Shopping Center, 1319 Military Cutoff Road, Unit LL; McKay Healing Arts Center, Wilmington; Shaver Chiropractic, Wilmington; and Health Touch NC LLC, Durham. Visit www. beaconthermography.com or call them at (910) 803-2150.