Mammograms are the typical screening tool for seeing how likely it is for someone to have breast cancer. Annually, they are done as routine checkups for women over 40. Additionally, they are also a method for detecting breast cancer in people with a suspected diagnosis. Mammograms are definitely a useful tool, but sometimes the results may be unclear. Thermography may be helpful for clarifying inconclusive results in certain cases.

As you research thermography, make sure you fully understand the results of your mammogram and address any questions with your primary care doctor. It is important to know that mammography and thermography should work in tandem with each other, and both can be used to aid in determining your diagnosis. In this article, we will explain how thermography may be beneficial when mammogram results are inconclusive.

What is thermography?

Thermography measures the infrared radiation that emits from the surface of the body. A thermal camera converts infrared heat emitted from the skin surface to electrical impulses that are visualized as colors on the computer. Areas of abnormal growth, disease, or inflammation will have a certain pattern of metabolic activity and can be easily detected due to the abnormal patches of color seen on the scan.

Unlike mammograms, thermography is a form of radiation free, touch free imaging procedure.

How can thermography clarify my results?

Mammography visualizes the anatomy of the body, so sometimes small tumors (tumors 1-5mm and smaller) can be difficult to detect. This is when thermography may be able to detect the difference between a benign lump and a tumor, as the tumor cells will have a different type of metabolic activity.

Because mammograms visualize the entire body, there are certain regions with large densities that may prevent recognition of tumors. For example, tumors that are close to the rib cage or sternum can often be difficult to detect. Thermography can be used in these cases, as tissue density has no effect on the thermal pattern emitted.

Additionally, thermography can aid in clarifying the severity of tumors. Usually, tumors that have higher metabolic rates, which can be seen through thermal imaging, are often more life-threatening. Tumors that have metastasized into different regions of the body will also indicate poor prognosis, and metastases can often be challenging to diagnose through mammograms.

Lastly, thermal imaging is useful in differentiating between tumors and benign calcification. Breast calcification is often harmless, and they are frequently found in mammograms. Sometimes, however, calcification can be a marker of underlying cancer development.

When the calcification finding on the mammogram is unclear, thermography may be beneficial to determine whether the finding is a sign of cancer or simply harmless, preventing overdiagnosis in this case.

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