In some countries, thermography is used as a first-line screening tool. These countries include Sweden, Japan and France. Thermography is currently available in Canada. It involves the use of a digital infrared camera as well as a high speed computer for imaging. It measures heat in the body tissue, such as the breasts.
Thermography is based on the idea that pre-cancerous tissue has greater blood vessel and metabolic activity. Thus the affected area generally has an elevated temperature as compared to normal breast tissue. Those trained in interpreting these images will compare heat differences within each breast as well as compare temperatures of both breasts. It is ideal to get a baseline scan at approximately 20 years of age.
Thermography helps detect early stage breast cancers, as it highlights functional changes, which precede structural anomalies, such as tumour growth. Functional changes my be apparent up to 10 years before a tumour is detectable through physical examination and/or mammography. Mammograms are used to assess structural not functional changes.
According to a study by D. Mikulska, “Contemporary applications of infrared imaging in medical diagnostics”, Ann Acad Med Stetin. 2006;52(1):
“Since the 1970’s thermography has been used in many areas of medicine. Early problems such as low detector sensitivity, but most significantly, poor training of thermography technicians was the source of error in thermography and retarded the acceptance of this technique until 1990. Since that time, thermographic equipment has evolved significantly. Modern thermal imaging systems comprise technically advanced thermal cameras coupled to computers with sophisticated software solutions. The recorded images are now of good quality and may be further processed to obtain reliable information. Thermography can be applied as a diagnostic tool in oncology, allergic diseases, angiology, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and elsewhere. Contemporary thermal imaging must be per formed according to certain principles aimed at reliability and reproducibility of results. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Thermography is a safe, accurate and, most importantly, a non-invasive diagnostic method in clinical medicine.”
What are the benefits of Breast Thermography?
- non-invasive and comfortable: no contact or compression of breasts
- no exposure to radiation, unlike a mammogram
- early detection (as much as 10 years in advance of detection via physical exam or mammography)
- suitable for all ages and for different breast tissue densities, including fibrocystic and dense breasts
- examines the entire breast area, including armpit region
Tips before getting your scan: avoid exercise, including rushing to your appointment, and, upon arrival, acclimatize yourself to the room for about 15 minutes. This will provide more accurate results. The costs of Thermography may range from $200 to $250.
Breast Thermography offers a sensitive and non-invasive option for younger women, in addition to having regular breast examinations. While Thermography is not a replacement for a mammogram, it can certainly be used as an additional tool for breast cancer detection.