Further Reading
Interested in learning more? So are we!
Here is a little more information about cancer, thermography and other screening methods, what screening is done in other countries, and other related topics.
What is my approximate risk of breast cancer?
Here is an online calculator that offers an approximate measurement of breast cancer risk.
https://bcrisktool.cancer.gov/
The calculator uses information such asa person’s age, the age of their first menstruation, their age at their first child’s birth, the number of their first-degree relatives with breast cancer, the number of previous biopsies, and the presence of atypical hyperplasia in biopsies taken. Note the limitations of the calculator, described at the link provided.
How have U.S. cancer screening guidelines changed over time?
This table shows cancer screening guidelines for people without symptoms in the United States since before 1980, and how they have changed over time. Breast, cervical, colorectal, endometrial, lung, and prostate cancer guidelines are all represented.
What breast screening is done in other countries?
Most European countries begin mammogram screening at age 50 and end it at age 70 (Ebell et al, 2018), (European Commission, n.d.). After age 69, mammograms are discontinued due to increased harm and decreased benefit.
For example, in Denmark, women aged 50 to 69 are encouraged to get mammograms every 2 years; screening ends at 70. Denmark researchers found that screening women until age 74 (as opposed to 69) prevented one additional breast cancer death per 1000 women, but added 78 more false positive mammograms out of every 1000 women, and 8 additional cancer overdiagnoses and unnecessary cancer treatments. Screening women until age 80 doubled the false positives and misdiagnoses, and only resulted in one additional breast cancer death prevented per 1000 women. Part of the reason the benefit is so low is that cancers that occur later in life tend to be slower growing and have more favorable outcomes (Gram et al, 2023). Due to these findings, Denmark discontinues mammogram at age 69.
In 2013, the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences found that routine mammogram screening results in a 20% risk reduction, and a 21.9% rate of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of breast cancers that would not have become problematic. When it comes to the benefits to an individual woman, mammogram is found to prevent 1 breast cancer death per 1000 women screened. For every breast cancer death prevented, additionally 490 to 670 women had a false positive mammogram, 70 to 100 women had an unnecessary biopsy and 3 to 14 women received an overdiagnosis of breast cancer (Biller-Andorno & Jüni, 2014). The panel thus recommended that no new mammogram screening programs be introduced, that existing ones be phased out, and that the population be informed of the limitations of mammography so they could informed decisions about its actual benefits and risks to their lives.
Because screening itself can carry risks, we recommend patients determine their own risk level and make decisions accordingly. See What Is My Approximate Risk of Breast Cancer?, above.
Is thermography used in other countries?
Thermography is used and researched for medical purposes in the United States, China, Brazil, Turkey, Italy, the UK, India, Croatia, Iran, Mexico, the Netherlands, Taiwan, Israel, Japan, Hong Kong, Poland, Pakistan, Malta, Portugal, Singapore, Bangladesh, Finland, Denmark, France, Spain, and Korea.
Around the world, thermography is currently applied to the following disciplines, in order of most to least often used:
Oncology
Infectious disease
Rheumatology
Endocrinology
Ophthamology
Orthopedics
Cardiology
Phlebology
Neurology
Orthodontics and dentistry
Wound care
Surgery
Trauma and emergency care
Our affiliated thermography network ACCT, the American College of Clinical Thermology, has members in 46 states, Canada, Europe, and South Africa.
At what age should one consider tapering off breast thermography screenings?
Because thermography is a non-invasive, do-no-harm screening technique, one may continue screening as late as they would like. However, as long as there are no changes in symptoms or any known risk factors, if a client has had over 4 years of low-risk thermograms and no changes in health history or breast symptoms, they may want to consider tapering off breast thermography screening around age 80 (EMI, n.d.).
When should regular thermography be paused?
Always let your thermography technician know if you are currently undergoing any kind of treatment for a health condition. Various treatments may impact the accuracy of thermography for that body area. For example, patients applying topical chemotherapy to the skin of the breast must wait 3 months after the last application to begin to establish a breast baseline (EMI, n.d.).
Regular breast thermography should be paused during pregnancy and lactation due to natural changes occurring to the breasts during these times (EMI, n.d.).
Use of certain medications that affect the autonomic nervous system, immune function, inflammation, hormones, or cause vascular changes may affect thermography findings. Be sure to list all medications you are taking with your thermography technician.
Some medications that may interfere with thermography (always be sure to list these for your thermography technician):
Immunosuppressants
Certain anti-inflammatory medications such as corticosteroids
Beta blockers
Fertility drugs
Hormones
Chemotherapy
Anticoagulants
Botox
Anesthetics
Thermography should also be postponed until 3 months after a biopsy or major surgery.