QT Scanning: What I’m Choosing for My Breast Health as I Approach 40

I’m almost 40, and honestly, the way I look means nothing if my health isn’t thriving.

What I truly care about is optimal labs, feeling my best, and having normal screenings.

That’s exactly why I decided to look into a different option for my breast screening, QT Scanning.

No radiation. No painful compression. No trauma. No discomfort. Just a much more comfortable experience that gave me peace of mind.

More and more women are starting to prioritize prevention, early detection, lowering their toxic load, and actually paying attention to what’s happening inside the body instead of only focusing on appearance.

If you’ve been putting off screenings because of fear or discomfort, I hope this encourages you to start looking into your options and advocating for yourself.

If you’re almost due for a mammogram, stay tuned because I’m going to be talking more about this alternative imaging option called QT Scanning with Dr. Jennifer Simmons at PerfeQTion Imaging.

Did You Know 1 in 8 Women Will Develop Breast Cancer?

As I approach 40, I’ve been thinking more about being proactive with my breast health and exploring all of my options.

Did you know that about 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop breast cancer during their lifetime?

That statistic definitely made me think more about being proactive and not waiting until something is wrong to start paying attention.

And while genetics can play a role in breast cancer risk, there are so many different factors that can affect our overall risk, including age, family history, inherited gene changes, breast density, reproductive history, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.

We obviously can’t control everything but I do believe education and prevention matter.

Why I Became Interested in QT Imaging

One of the reasons I became interested in QT imaging was after learning from Dr. Jennifer Simmons, a former breast surgeon who now focuses on integrative and functional medicine.

After researching her perspective and speaking with her personally, I decided that QT imaging was the option I wanted to try for myself.

As a holistic RN, I’ve spent years working to lower my overall toxic load by reducing exposure to endocrine disruptors, synthetic fragrance, pesticides, and unnecessary chemicals in my home and personal care products.

That’s why I wanted to learn more about my breast screening options instead of simply assuming there was only one way to do things.

So What Is QT Scanning?

QT imaging is a newer type of breast imaging that uses sound waves to create 3D images of the breast.

Unlike a traditional mammogram, QT imaging does not use ionizing radiation and does not require breast compression.

The scan is performed while the breast rests in warm water, making the experience much more comfortable.

My Experience With QT Scanning

I’ll be honest, I usually get anxious before medical appointments and scans, but Dr. Jennifer Simmons and her incredible team made me feel completely at ease from the moment I walked in.

The scan itself was quick, painless, and one of the easiest appointments I’ve had.

I was honestly surprised by how comfortable the entire process was.

For someone who has always dreaded the discomfort associated with mammograms, this was a completely different experience and that’s really why I wanted to share it.

So many women don’t even realize options like this exist.

QT Scanning vs. Traditional Mammography

So what’s the difference?

A traditional mammogram uses low-dose X-rays to create images of the breast and requires the breast to be compressed between plates.

QT imaging uses sound waves to create 3D images and does not require breast compression or ionizing radiation.

Current screening recommendations vary slightly depending on the organization and your individual risk, but screening recommendations generally begin around age 40 for women at average risk.

Understanding the Potential Risks and Limitations of Mammograms

Like any screening method, mammograms have limitations and potential downsides that are worth understanding.

Some of these include:

• Radiation exposure: Mammograms use low-dose X-rays to create images of breast tissue. The radiation exposure from an individual screening mammogram is low, but it is still a form of ionizing radiation.
• Breast compression and discomfort: The procedure requires the breast to be compressed between two plates, which can be uncomfortable or painful for some women.
• False positives: Sometimes an area looks suspicious but turns out not to be cancer. This can lead to additional imaging, biopsies, anxiety, and unnecessary stress.
• False negatives: A mammogram can sometimes miss breast cancer, particularly in women with dense breast tissue.
• Overdiagnosis: Screening can identify certain cancers that might never have caused symptoms or affected a woman's health during her lifetime. This can sometimes lead to treatment that may not have been necessary.
• Additional testing: An abnormal result can mean additional appointments, imaging, and sometimes invasive procedures before a diagnosis is reached.

I believe women deserve to have informed conversations with their healthcare providers and understand the options available before making decisions about their breast health.

What About Dense Breasts?

Breast density is another part of the conversation that I think women should be aware of.

Dense breast tissue can make mammograms more difficult to interpret, and having dense breasts can also be associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

Another important thing to understand is that dense breast tissue can make it harder for a mammogram to identify certain abnormalities because both dense tissue and many breast cancers appear white on a mammogram.

This can make some cancers more difficult to see and may increase the likelihood of needing additional imaging.

This is another reason I think it’s important to know your own breast density and have conversations with your healthcare provider about whether additional imaging may be appropriate for you.

QT imaging creates 3D images of the breast and is being used as an additional breast imaging option, including for women with dense breast tissue.

QT Scanning vs. Thermography

I also want to make this distinction because I’ve seen these two things confused.

QT imaging and thermography are completely different.

Thermography uses an infrared camera to look at heat patterns on the surface of the body.

QT imaging uses sound waves to create 3D images of breast tissue.

The FDA has stated that thermography has not been shown to be an effective standalone breast cancer screening tool and should not be used as a replacement for mammography.

So when I’m talking about QT scanning, I’m talking about a completely different technology.

Auria: An At-Home Breast Health Test That Uses Your Tears

Another interesting development in breast health is the Auria Tears Test, an at-home test that analyzes proteins found in your tears to look for biomarkers that may be associated with breast tissue abnormalities.

Unlike mammograms, ultrasounds, or QT imaging, Auria doesn't create images of breast tissue. Instead, it uses proteomic technology to measure two specific proteins, S100A8 and S100A9, which are associated with inflammation and may be elevated in connection with breast abnormalities.

The process is fairly simple. You collect a small tear sample using a soft strip placed inside your lower eyelid, send it to a CLIA-certified laboratory, and the lab analyzes the sample using a proprietary algorithm that also takes your age into consideration.

The test provides one of two possible results: negative or clinically significant. A clinically significant result means elevated biomarkers were detected and additional evaluation may be appropriate. It does NOT mean you have breast cancer. Likewise, a negative result does not guarantee that cancer or other breast abnormalities are absent.

According to Auria, the test has a reported sensitivity of 92% and specificity of 58%. These are the manufacturer's reported performance figures, and individual results may vary.

I think it's fascinating to see the different technologies being explored in breast health, including approaches that look beyond traditional imaging. As always, understanding what each test can and cannot tell you is important when making informed decisions about your health.

You can learn more about the Auria Tears Test at Auria.care.

Breast Self-Checks Still Matter

I also believe women should know their own bodies.

Pay attention to changes and know what is normal for you.

If you notice a new lump, thickening, nipple changes, unusual discharge, skin changes, or anything else that feels different, get it checked out.

Knowing your body doesn’t replace screening, but I think being aware of changes is an important part of being proactive about your health.

What About the Chemicals and Environmental Exposures?

This is another part of breast health that I’ve personally spent a lot of time thinking about.

There are known and probable carcinogens that we can be exposed to through different environmental, occupational, lifestyle, and consumer-product exposures.

That doesn’t mean every exposure automatically causes cancer.

Risk is complicated, and things like dose, duration, route of exposure, and individual factors matter.

Personally, I would rather be aware of what I’m being exposed to than completely ignore it.

That’s why I continue to make choices in my home and lifestyle that help me lower unnecessary exposures where I can.

I’m not trying to live in a bubble, I'm simply trying to make more informed choices.

I’m Not Telling You Which Screening to Choose

I want to make this very clear because I know this topic can bring up a lot of strong opinions.

I’m not telling you to skip your mammogram.

I’m not telling you that QT scanning is better than mammography.

And I’m not telling you that one screening method is right for every woman.

I’m sharing what I chose for myself and why I wanted to explore another option.

My QT Scan at PerfeQTion Imaging

I had my QT scan done at PerfeQTion Imaging with Dr. Jennifer Simmons.

We did a podcast together!

We dive much deeper into breast health, her perspective on traditional mammography, and why she believes QT imaging is an exciting advancement for women seeking additional breast imaging options.

Listen to the full episode here:

>> Listen to the She Hustles Podcast with Dr. Jennifer Simmons

Follow Dr Jennifer Simmons:

>> Website

>> Instagram

Find Your Closest QT Scan Near You

>> https://www.qtimaging.com/locations

Disclaimer

This post shares my personal experience and is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to tell you which breast cancer screening method you should choose. QT imaging is not currently FDA-cleared to replace screening mammography. Talk with your healthcare provider about the screening approach that is appropriate for your individual age, risk factors, family history, breast density, and medical history.