Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers diagnosed in women in the U.S. In fact, other than skin cancer, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among American women. In 2019, it was estimated that about 30% of diagnosed cancers in women were breast cancer. The good news is that breast cancer screening methods have made important advances in ensuring more women and men have a fighting chance against the disease. In this article, we will discuss two of the most common methods of breast cancer screening: thermography and mammography and which is better for breast cancer detection.
Breast Cancer Screening
Screening methods for breast cancer have come a long way since the beginning. Breast cancer screening involves looking for abnormalities that may indicate the disease is present before a person begins displaying symptoms. The goal of screening is breast cancer detection at an early stage when it can be more successfully treated and healed.
Types of Breast Cancer Screening
The most common method for breast cancer screening is mammography. Other common breast cancer screening types include:
Breast Exam
Thermography
Tissue sampling
What is mammography?
As mentioned, a mammogram is the most common method of breast cancer screening. A mammogram is essentially an X-ray taken of the compressed breast. Mammography can detect lumps or tumors that are too small to feel with self-examination.
Pros and Cons of Mammography
Benefits of getting a mammogram include:
Mammograms can detect cancer long before it presents symptoms.
Undergoing regular mammography screening can reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer by 19% overall.
Drawbacks of mammograms include:
Exposure to small doses of radiation, which can add up if patients undergo regular mammograms.
Mammography can also uncover noncancerous changes, leading to false-positive results.
Results may be less accurate for women with dense breast tissue or breast implants.
Mammography can be uncomfortable, as it involves compressing the breasts.
Mammography should be avoided when women are menstruating.
What is thermography?
Thermography is a method of breast cancer screening that uses infrared technology to detect temperature changes on the skin. An infrared camera that detects these thermal changes takes pictures of different areas of the breasts, which show up as a “heat map” of sorts. When issues are present, the infrared camera is able to identify inflammation and higher skin temperature in the breast tissue. While it has its benefits, many medical professionals argue that thermography is not necessarily a substitute for mammography.
Pros and Cons of Thermography
Benefits of thermography include:
It is a fast, non-invasive procedure that does not involve compressing the breast (less discomfort).
It does not expose patients to radiation.
Can detect changes in breasts with dense tissue and/or implants.
Hormonal and menstrual changes should not impact the procedure or the results.
Some drawbacks of thermography are:
Thermography can only identify changes or abnormalities in the breast due to temperature changes; it cannot tell you whether the issue is definitively cancer.
Another imaging technique is likely necessary after this procedure to further investigate.
Both tests are invaluable methods for breast cancer screening, which leads to early detection and ultimately the ability to save more lives; however, as mentioned, a mammogram is still the most trusted method. If you haven’t already, contact us to schedule a breast screening appointment with one of our talented radiologists.