The latest news on breast thermography

Source: Best Health Magazine, Jan/Feb 2013; Image: Thinkstock

Recently, questions began to surface in the news about the effectiveness of breast thermography, a non-invasive procedure that is intended to help detect breast cancer (we ran an article, ‘What is Breast Thermography?’ in a previous issue of Best Health).

Breast thermography is not sanctioned by Health Canada, and the Canadian Cancer Society suggests that thermography tests miss many breast cancers and generate false positives. In fact, according to Gillian Bromfield, director of cancer control policy at the Society, ‘there is no scientific evidence that shows thermography is effective in detecting breast cancer.’ Bromfield adds there is even some danger in using this type of device’and other unproven devices that claim to screen for breast cancer’as they can give women a false sense of security, or cause them to undergo unnecessary follow-up medical tests. Speak to your doctor about your best options when it comes to the health of your breasts.

This article was originally titled "What’s the latest on breast thermography?" in the Jan/Feb 2013 issue of Best Health. Subscribe today to get the full Best Health experience’and never miss an issue!