Advantages of Breast Thermography (Medical Thermal Imaging) over
Mammograms in Breast Cancer Screening
As of 2020, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime and 3% of all women will die from it according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Most men do not realize they are at risk as well for breast cancer hence they are more likely to die from advance regional or distant breast cancer due to the delay in detection and lack of public awareness.
Non-invasive, early detection methods are critical for improving patient outcomes. While mammography has been the gold standard for breast cancer screening for many years, emerging evidence suggests that thermography offers several advantages over mammograms. Its holistic, radiation-free nature, coupled with its ability to detect physiological changes by monitoring the heat patterns of blood vessels provides patients with earlier warning signs, Using the latest technology, medical thermal imaging has increased sensitivity, providing a more accurate analysis option, especially for small breasts, dense breasts and augmentations (implants).
Combining ultrasounds with this simple, safe and holistic alternative to mammograms can contribute to earlier detection, quicker treatment, and improved outcomes for women worldwide.
Non-invasive and Radiation-Free
One of the primary advantages of thermography is it's non-invasive nature. Unlike mammograms, which require contact and breast compression, thermography involves the use of infrared cameras to measure heat patterns and detect abnormalities. This non-contact approach not only eliminates discomfort but also avoids the potential risks associated with radiation exposure, making it suitable for repeated screenings.
Early Detection
Thermography has shown that it can identify physiological changes in breast tissue before a tumor forms. By capturing heat patterns and vascular abnormalities, thermography can identify areas of increased blood supply. This could be an early sign of tumor growth known as angiogenesis. It can also help identify other breast conditions, such as inflammation, infection, or benign tumors. This early detection potential gives patients and healthcare providers the opportunity to intervene sooner, leading to better treatment outcomes and improved survival rates.
Increased Sensitivity and Accuracy
Compared to mammography, thermography has shown promise in terms of sensitivity and accuracy. While mammograms rely on detecting anatomical structures, thermography identifies early thermal patterns associated with breast abnormalities. By detecting physiological changes, thermography can identify indications of breast cancer, including aggressive forms that may not be clearly visible on mammograms, such as inflammatory breast cancer. The increased sensitivity of thermography, which now measures within 100th of a degree, offers a complementary screening tool that can enhance the accuracy of early breast cancer detection when used in conjunction with other imaging modalities such as ultrasound.
Suitable for All Breast Sizes and Types
Statistics suggest that over 40% of all women have dense breast tissue which affects the accuracy of mammography. Dense breast tissue can mask abnormalities, leading to false-negative results. In contrast, thermography is not influenced by breast density, making it a more valuable tool for women with dense breasts. By relying on heat patterns and the temperature variations of vascular patterns rather than tissue density, thermography provides reliable results across different breast types, reducing the risk of missed diagnoses and improving overall screening effectiveness.
Another concern we can address and reduce is that over 40% of all indications by mammography result in unnecessary procedures due to the false positives. In these cases monitoring of changes in the blood vessel patterns can reduce the horrendous emotional trauma to the patient and their family while reducing the cost to the medical system for unnecessary procedures.
For women with breast implants (augmentations) it is important to monitor 'Breast Implant Illness' (BII) risks resulting from sensitivity to the silicon, leakage of the bags or changes in the structure and placement of the implants.
For women with small breasts, it is difficult to achieve accurate imaging using the mammogram plates in comparison to thermography which excels in the ability to capture accurate images regardless of breast size or shape
Safety and Risk Reduction
Mammograms are associated with potential harms, including discomfort, radiation exposure and false-positive results. In contrast, thermography poses no such risks. It offers a safe screening option, particularly for younger women who are more sensitive to radiation and forced to wait until they are in their 40's for regular screening. By eliminating radiation exposure and reducing the number of false-positive results, thermography minimizes patient anxiety, unnecessary interventions, and associated healthcare costs.