While Thermography has received FDA approval for safety, it remains experimental and investigational, given the lack of standardized protocols and the lack of sufficient research to substantiate reliability of results. Thermography has not been shown to reduce mortality among tested women in randomized controlled trials. There is evidence that mammography is effective in breast cancer detection and reduction in mortality. However, there is no evidence that thermography can take the place of screening mammography. It is also unclear how abnormal areas detected by thermography could be biopsied. No method has been described to accurately transpose the thermographic abnormality to the mammogram and then to the actual location in the breast.

The American College of Radiology (ACR), Society of Breast Imaging (SBI), FDA and even the Academy of Clinical Thermology all agree that thermography is not a replacement for mammography and should not be used alone to diagnose breast cancer. The FDA has approved thermography as an additional diagnostic tool for detecting breast cancer but it is not approved to be used as a stand-alone technique.

The SBI and the ACR’s position is that thermography has not been demonstrated to have value as a screening, diagnostic, or adjunctive imaging tool. Thermography is not a substitute for mammography screening. Mammography remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening and nationally recognized guidelines recommend that women begin annual mammography screening at age 40.

Inland Imaging is dedicated to medical imaging and employs cutting-edge screening practices that fall into both categories of safe and effective.

It is Inland Imaging’s stand that thermography is not a stand-alone imaging tool in the diagnosis of breast cancer. To evaluate abnormal findings reported on a thermogram, mammography and possibly ultrasound are necessary to maximize our ability to detect potentially subtle abnormalities. All patients presenting with clinical history of an abnormal thermogram must have a current mammogram (no older than 6 months) prior to having other breast imaging studies or procedures with Inland Imaging.