From the American Cancer Society webpage:

"Newer and Experimental Breast Imaging Methods

Research in the field of breast imaging is continuing in order to:

* increase the number of cancers found before they can be felt by the patient or her doctor
* find cancers even smaller than those now detected by mammograms
* improve the ability to distinguish benign breast conditions from breast cancers

These tests all need further study before their usefulness can be determined.

. . .

Thermography (Thermal Imaging)

Thermography is a way of measuring and mapping the heat on the surface of the breast with the use of a special heat-sensing camera. It is based on the idea that the temperature rises in areas with increased blood flow and metabolism, which could signify a tumor.

Thermography has been around for several decades, and some scientists are still attempting to improve the technology for use in breast imaging. However, no study has ever shown that it is an effective screening tool for the early detection of breast cancer. It should not be used as a replacement for mammograms.

Newer versions of this test are better able to determine small temperature differences. They may prove to be more accurate than older versions, and are now under study to find out if they might be useful in finding cancer."

From www.breastcancer.org:

"Thermography, also called thermal imaging, uses a special camera to measure the temperature of the skin on the breast's surface. It is non-invasive and uses no radiation.

Thermography is based on two ideas:

* Because cancer cells are growing and multiplying very fast, blood flow and metabolism are higher in a cancer tumor.
* As blood flow and metabolism increase, skin temperature goes up.

Thermography has been available for several decades, but no study has shown that it's a good screening tool to detect breast cancer early, when the cancer is most treatable. The American Cancer Society does NOT recommend thermography as a replacement for mammograms.

Thermography may be used to supplement mammogram information and help identify cancers that are close to the skin. Still, thermography can't find cancers that are deeper in the breast and thermography can't detect small cancers.

Researchers are developing and testing new versions of thermography that some day may be more accurate."