Breast thermography (or infrared breast imaging), is based on the principle that heat production and blood flow in your breasts can be measured by checking the skin surface temperatures.

When there are abnormal changes in your breasts, this produces abnormal blood flow patterns. This leads to an increase in the skin surface temperatures of your breasts.

Thermography uses very sensitive medical infrared cameras to produce high-resolution images of these temperature changes. These temperature variations represent the earliest signs of  a problem with the breast [3,6-9].

Not only can breast thermography warn that a problem may be present, but also provide a marker of future risk along with a role in cancer prevention [3-5, 10-12].

How long does the imaging take?

After cooling down, you simply stand in front of the camera and the technician will acquire the images. NO SQUEEZING, NO RADIATION and NO PAIN. The imaging of the breasts takes at most 5 minutes!

The digital images are securely transmitted to the Eagle Institute of Thermology  in California. The interpreters have a combined 28 years of experience in assessing thermal images, and are certified by the International Association of Clinical Thermology and International Association of Certified Thermographers.

Reports become available within 10 days. You will be given a Zoom appointment to discuss your report with one of our doctors.

As with mammograms and other breast imaging tests, the most important thing is the expertise of the doctor interpreting the images. Identifying an abnormal process requires proper training, experience, clear guidelines and protocols, and detailed image acquisition.

When digitally produced, and interpreted by qualified doctors, abnormalities in infrared images provide invaluable information. This is particularly true in patients with dense breasts, non-specific physical or mammographic findings, or women with a previous history of breast surgery or radiation.

Serial infrared imaging tests can highlight areas that require further evaluation. This further evaluation may include mammogram and ultrasound imaging.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that for breast cancer screening, thermography is to be used alongside (as an adjunct to) other methods of breast health evaluation. No single screening test should be used on its own.

However, thermography is one of many tools used together for evaluating your breast health. This is especially true if you:

• are experiencing other breast problems e.g. breast pain, breast cysts etc.
• are below the age for a mammogram i.e. age 40 years
• need additional information after doing one of the other forms of breast screening
• are pregnant
• are unable to do other types of screening

In fact, an abnormal thermal image has been shown to be a powerful predictor of future breast cancer risk.

The current recommended guidelines are as follows:

Initial infrared scan by age 20
20-30 years of age – every 3 years
30 years of age and over – every year

You will be provided with a  copy of your report. Reports are very easy to understand, with simple language and clear recommendations.

Depending on the findings, the doctor may recommend:

1. Additional testing or referral to a specialist to investigate an abnormal finding.
2. A repeat infrared study in either 3 or 6 months to monitor a suspicious finding.
3.  A repeat infrared study in 6 months to establish your baseline for future comparison.