Can I use Breast Thermography as an alternative to Mammography?
Although this may sound appealing at first, there is no evidence supporting the use of thermography as an alternative to mammography at this time. Breast Thermography is extremely sensitive but will still miss a certain percentage of cancers. No one procedure (mammography included) is 100% accurate. Furthermore, the highest detection rates were seen when thermography was combined with physical examination and mammography.
Thermography is a method for testing for the risk of breast abnormalities and it is an adjacent technology to mammography. It is not a replacement for it. It should precede it, since Thermography is the best method for preventative, proactive pre-screening. When Thermography indicates high risks for cancer, follow up testing with other detection methods are recommended. I have no family history and am not at high risk for breast cancer.
