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Diagnosing breast cancer using thermography is one of the most controversial procedures. However, due to technological advancements, the future of thermography in hospitals is absolutely promising for the early detection of growing tumors, including breast cancer. This method can help identify breast cancer early, having a significant impact on women's health and breast cancer treatment. It is also important to mention that breast cancer can be a serious condition, and raising awareness about this issue is essential.

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women globally, requiring an accurate diagnosis to take remedial measures for treatment (Hashemi et al., 2019; Hand et al., 2021). It is crucial for women to be aware of the importance of regular breast cancer screening in order to effectively prevent and address breast cancer.

To prevent breast cancer, women must be well-informed about the risks and available treatment options, including self-examination strategies and breast cancer screening methods.

The Importance of Educating Women About Breast Cancer

It is essential that women be educated about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer in order to seek timely medical help.

Regular breast cancer screening is essential for preventing disease progression. Women should be encouraged to participate in these screenings to reduce the risks associated with breast cancer. Awareness of the importance of early breast cancer diagnosis can save lives.

Early detection of breast cancer is essential for effective treatments and to increase the chances of survival, given the severity of breast cancer.

The importance of correctly diagnosing breast cancer cannot be overstated. It is crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of breast cancer.

Early detection of breast cancer is essential for increasing survival rates and treatment options. Breast cancer education plays a crucial role in this process.

In addition, breast cancer is the second or third most common malignant disease in developing countries (Acharya et al., 2012), the most common cancer diagnosis among women under 40 and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in this age group (Daly et al., 2021).

„…innovative interventions are needed to address the growing global burden of breast cancer…”

Hand et al. 2021

There is a proportional relationship between the growth of a breast tumor and its temperature (Usuki H., 1990). Indeed, infrared thermography began to be used in 1956, when Lawson discovered that the skin temperature of a cancerous area in the breast was higher than that of normal tissue (Lawson R., 1956).

In addition, it is important for women to be informed about the risk factors that can lead to breast cancer so that they can take effective preventive measures.

Thanks to promising results (Connell Jr. et al., 1966), thermography began to be widely used as a diagnostic tool in the 1960s and 1970s. However, between the 1970s and 1990s, various studies were published describing a significant number of false-positive medical findings (Williams et al., 1990; Moskowitz et al., 1976), thereby calling into question the ability infrared thermography can a standalone diagnostic device for breast cancer. These studies have had a dramatic impact on the use of this technology and the number of scientific publications and, more importantly, have inevitably influenced the reputation infrared thermography in the medical field.

However, over the past 15 years, thanks to improvements in cameras and the incorporation of artificial intelligence techniques (such as automated software and machine learning), thermography has become a useful tool for aiding in the diagnosis of breast cancer. In fact, it has been demonstrated that, in the clinical setting, the use of automated thermography software allows us to improve accuracy and reduce analysis time.

This technology can be a significant aid in monitoring women at high risk for breast cancer.

„…screening mammography using X-rays has proven to be the most sensitive noninvasive technique for detecting early-stage tumors, although, from time to time, other imaging methods for detecting cancer are also used, such as thermography, diaphanography (light scanning), whole-breast ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)…”…”

Hashemi et al. 2019.

We can highlight the following ADVANTAGES of thermography in the case of breast cancer:

- Greater accuracy in tumor detection Benign breast conditions compared to mammography (Hashemi et al. 2019)
- Allows for early detection of breast cancer (Kuhl C. K. et al., 2017)
- It is inexpensive (Omranipour R. et al. 2016; Kolarić, D. et al. 2013)

It is also essential for women to be aware of the treatment options available if they are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Immediate results, no venous access, and no radioactive contrast agents (Hashemi et al. 2019; Singh, D., & Singh, A. K., 2019)
Artificial intelligence that uses deep neural networks to analyze Thermograms yield better results and appear to be an analytical strategy with a promising future (Mambou et al., 2018)
Three-dimensional infrared (3DIRI) functional imaging is considered to work independently of breast density and generates three-dimensional vascular maps of the breast to detect peripheral breast vascular asymmetry, as well as variations in vascular morphology, density, and perfusion rate between breasts. (Hellgren R.J., et al. 2019).

DISADVANTAGES OF INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

A lack of knowledge and experience in the use of this technique among practicing physicians (Hellgren R.J., et al. 2019; Hashemi et al. 2019; Ng, E. K., 2009)
Specific conditions are required to use infrared thermography correctly (Hashemi et al. 2019).
Infrared thermography has a sensitivity of 52–61%, compared with 70.6–94% for mammography (Hashemi et al. 2019; Williams et al. 1990; Omranipour R. et al. 2016). It has lower specificity compared to ultrasound, with 78.5% and 95.3%, respectively (Alikhassi A. et al. 2018)
- a poor reputation in the medical field (Moskowitz et al. 1976; Fitzgerald, A., & Berentson-Shaw, J., 2012).

Despite the pros and cons of this technology, as highlighted by Hashemi and collaborators (2019): „Infrared thermography can also be recommended for use as a complementary imaging tool, along with other well-known imaging methods, for the early detection of breast cancer” and as an additional test to a clinical breast examination (Omranipour R. et al. 2016).

In conclusion, despite technical advances in thermography, it cannot currently replace mammography for the diagnosis of breast cancer (Omranipour R. et al. 2016). However, infrared thermography can be recommended as a complementary tool in breast cancer screening, alongside other clinical examinations. It is essential for women to be aware of these options in the fight against breast cancer.