Does Breast Thermography Replace a Mammogram?
No. Both are useful screening tools with relative strengths and weaknesses. Thermography is most useful in women who are not good candidates for mammography or who prefer to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure. Mammography can be a useful follow-up screening tool when thermography reveals a suspicious finding. When used as part of a multi-modal approach (clinical examination + thermography + mammography), 95% of early stage breast cancers can be detected. Places in Europe, Asia and Canada are using thermography as the first line of screening and if there is an abnormal scan then the woman is sent for mammograms or ultrasounds. These socialized medicine countries have more of a vested interest in “Prevention” since the state will have to pay for the treatment.
