Statement on use of thermography to detect breast cancer

The National Advisory Committee to the BreastScreen Australia program does not recommend the use of thermography for the early detection of breast cancer.

Breast thermography, also known as thermal breast imaging, is a technique that produces "heat pictures" of the breast. The rationale for thermography in breast imaging is that the skin overlying a malignant breast lesion can be warmer than that of surrounding areas.

There is no current scientific evidence to support the use of thermography in the early detection of breast cancer and in the reduction of mortality.

At this time, a screening mammogram every two years is still the most proven effective method to detect breast cancer early, particularly in women aged 50 to 74.

Women should continue to feel confident that having a free breast screen within the BreastScreen program every two years as recommended, will give them the best chance of detecting and surviving breast cancer.

Please find the Cancer Australia position statement on thermography here.

Please find the National Health and Medical Research Council statement on thermography here.