Bangkok: Thermograms, which utilize thermal imaging to capture infrared radiation from an object, have been put forward as a potential method for screening breast cancer due to their ability to detect areas of higher temperature, such as those found in cancerous tissues. However, significant organizations emphasize that thermograms are not a substitute for mammograms.

According to Thai News Agency, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Society for Breast Imaging (SBI) have firmly stated that thermograms cannot replace mammograms for breast cancer screening. Since 2011, the FDA has warned companies against advertising thermograms as an alternative to mammograms, highlighting the lack of evidence supporting thermograms as a standalone screening tool. Mammograms remain the most reliable method for early detection of breast cancer.

The FDA has confirmed there is no evidence that thermograms can detect cancer earlier than mammograms. Diagnostic radiologist Ethan Cohen notes that thermograms cannot co
nfirm breast abnormalities. If a thermogram suggests an abnormality, a follow-up mammogram is necessary for confirmation. Although thermograms may detect large tumors, they do not improve survival rates since early detection of small tumors is crucial for effective treatment.

While mammography is the most widely accepted screening method, it has limitations. False-positive results can cause stress and necessitate repeat testing, with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) finding that 1 in 10 women receive false positives. The American Cancer Society (ACS) indicates that half of women undergoing mammograms over ten years may receive false positives.

False-negative results, where cancer is present but not detected, occur in 1 in 8 women according to ACS. NCI notes that up to 1 in 5 women may experience false negatives, particularly younger women or those with dense breast tissue.

Overdiagnosis, detecting non-invasive or non-dangerous tumors, is rare, occurring in 1-10% of cases according to ACS. Since the intr
oduction of regular mammograms for women aged 40-50, breast cancer mortality rates have halved compared to the pre-mammogram era.