Digital infrared thermal imaging, or thermography, is a preventive, non-invasive method to monitor breast health that is painless, radiation-free, and compression-free. Breast thermography uses a medical thermal camera which can detect inflammation as temperature rises in areas with increased blood flow, and it can be used as a risk assessment tool to detect and monitor abnormal physiology in the body. Inflammation is often a precursor to many diseases including breast cancer, and by carefully examining changes in the body’s temperature and blood vessels the early warning signs associated with breast cancer may be detected several years prior to it becoming an actual tumor. A breast thermography screening can also identify any hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues, or lymphatic congestion.

Choose a breast thermography screening that is performed in a temperature-controlled room by a female technician who is certified as a Clinical Thermography Technician (CTT). Typically, the thermal images are reviewed by a medical doctor, such as a pathologist. Patients receive a full report as well as a copy of all their images. The results determine whether a follow-up is needed in three months, six months, or one year. In general, breast thermography is recommended once every three years between the ages of 20 to 30, and then annually from age 30 on.

Although breast thermography is a non-invasive imaging option for any woman to help monitor her breast health, there are several groups for whom thermography might be extremely beneficial.

Women under the age of 50. While women of all ages can benefit from thermography, surprisingly 20% of breast cancers occur in women under the age of 49. Breast thermography can begin at the age of 20 without the potential harms of radiation. 

Women with Dense Breasts. 50% of women have dense breasts, which makes them difficult to be imaged by mammography. Thermography is not affected by dense breast tissue allowing women to have more information than with mammograms alone.

Women with Implants. Thermography is non-invasive and does not involve any contact or compression, causing no harm to implants.

Women avoiding radiation. Thermography is not a replacement for mammography, however, there is a certain population of woman across all age groups who just prefer not to have any imaging which involves radiation. 

Kristen Barry, Ph.D., CTT, is the owner of Space Coast Thermography located at 7125 Turner Rd, Suite 101 in Rockledge. For more information, call 321-574-9014 or visit SpaceCoastThermography.com.