Thermography

Some businesses and private clinics promote the use of thermography as a way to screen for breast cancer and sometimes encourage the use of this tool to screen women under the age of 50. The Canadian Cancer Society does not recommend thermography as a screening tool for breast cancer.

Thermography, also known as digital infrared thermal imaging, is a non-invasive test that uses an infrared camera to produce images (thermograms) that record temperature and blood vessel patterns. Thermography is based on the idea that the temperature of abnormal cells is higher than normal breast tissue due to increased blood flow.

Supporters of thermography argue that because this tool doesn’t use radiation, it is safer than mammography. Although mammograms do result in some exposure to medical radiation, it is minimal and the benefits of regular screening by mammogram far outweigh the risk of the radiation exposure. Current research hasn’t shown that thermography is an effective tool to detect breast cancer early, and it doesn’t suggest that thermography should replace mammography.

The Society is concerned about thermography testing because:

• When businesses and private clinics promote it as an effective screening test for breast cancer, this creates a confusing message for women. 
• Women who have the test will have a false sense of security about their breast health. 

Learn more about the Society’s breast cancer screening recommendations.