Jan 20, 2009 6:13 pm US/Eastern
Thermal Imaging May Help Catch Breast Cancer
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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When it comes to the early detection of breast cancer, some women are turning to a little-known form of technology called thermography.
CBS
When it comes to the early detection of breast cancer, some women are turning to a little-known form of technology called thermography.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn says it's the same tool used by firefighters.
It's a valuable resource for firefighters, helping them see through the smoke, but could thermal imaging some day be equally as important in the detection of breast cancer?
"Deep tumors of the breast are able to be found by thermography," said Dr. Ariane Cometa.
She says the technology, which uses a heat-sensing infrared camera, can detect cellular changes in the breast as much as 10 years earlier than other screening methods like mammography.
"It's extremely easy to do and doesn't involve radiation," Dr. Cometa said.
At 44, Cherry Lee Ward has had only one mammogram.
"It was painful. It was radiation. It was not something that I'm looking to do more of in my life," Ward said.
So she opted for a five minute thermogram instead of a mammogram. It's a decision not supported by the American Cancer Society, which cautions women about thermography, saying, "No study has ever shown that it is an effective screening tool for finding breast cancer early and it should not be used as a substitute for mammograms."
Dr. Cometa agrees that thermography should not replace mammography, but it is a useful screening tool when used along with it. She says of the 1,000 patients she's screened, five percent have turned out to have cancerous tumors.
Fortunately, Cherry's results were normal.
Although FDA approved, thermography is considered experimental and is not covered by insurance. Expect to pay about $200 for a screening and follow-up.
The follow-up includes a second thermogram. Results are usually available within two weeks.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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