Breast thermography

[[File:BreastCancerRightSamplel.jpg|right|thumb|165px|A promotional infrared image of breasts by Philip Hoekstra claiming to show cancer in the right breast.]]
{{altmed}}
'''Breast thermography''' has been promoted by [[CAM]] clinics as a [[breast]] imaging technique for cancer screening. This is not scientifically validated. The [[American Cancer Society]] says:
{{quote|Thermography has been around for many years, and some scientists are still trying to improve the technology to use it in breast imaging. But '''no study has yet shown that it is an effective screening tool for finding breast cancer early'''. It should not be used as a substitute for mammograms.|[http://www.cancer.org/treatment/understandingyourdiagnosis/examsandtestdescriptions/mammogramsandotherbreastimagingprocedures/mammograms-and-other-breast-imaging-procedures-newer-br-imaging-tests American Cancer Society] (emphasis added)}}
Initial studies found it to be less useful than either mammography or clincal examination,<ref>[http://radiology.rsna.org/content/122/1/123.abstract Thermography, Mammography, and Clinical Examination in Breast Cancer], Radiology vol 122 January 1977, 123-127 doi:10.1148/122.1.123</ref> and skeptics have noted that sites promoting breast thermography carry the "[[quack Miranda warning]]" that claims have not been evaluated by the [[FDA]].<ref name=sbm>[http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/index.php/dr-christiane-northrup-and-breast-thermography-the-opportunistic-promotion-of-quackery/ Oprah’s buddy Dr. Christiane Northrup and breast thermography: The opportunistic promotion of quackery], David Gorski, Science Based Medicine</ref> Health Canada has issued "cease and desist" orders to clinics offering breast thermography as a claimed cancer diagonstic.<ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/11/26/nl-thermography-clinics-canada-1127.html Clinics ordered to stop 'useless' breast cancer tests], [[CBC]], Nov 27 2012</ref> Scott Gavura of the Science Based Pharmacy blog describes breast thermography as "worse than useless" based on currently available evidence.<ref>[http://sciencebasedpharmacy.wordpress.com/2012/11/28/thermography-worse-than-useless/ Thermography: Worse than useless], Scott Gavura, Science Based Pharmacy, 28 Nov 2012</ref>

The [[FDA]] has issued a public warning notice stating that breast thermography is not an alternative to mammography<ref>[http://www.fda.gov/MedicalDevices/Safety/AlertsandNotices/ucm257259.htm FDA Safety Communication: Breast Cancer Screening - Thermography is Not an Alternative to Mammography], [[FDA]], June 2, 2011</ref> and has ordered [[Joseph Mercola]] to stop making excessive claims for thermography.<ref>[http://www.quackwatch.org/11Ind/mercola.html Joseph Mercola], [[Quackwatch]]</ref>

Thermography is promoted by Mercola, [[CANCERactive]], [[NaturalNews]], [[Christiane Northrup]]<ref name=sbm/> and other known cesspits of disinformation.

The Wikipedia articles on {{wpl|breast thermography}} and {{wpl|Thermography (medical)|medical thermography}} were both started by user Philiphoekstra. This is in fact<ref>https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:BreastCancerRightSamplel.jpg</ref> Dr Philip Hoekstra, director of FirstSense Medical, a manufacturer of breast thermography equipment, who is a proponent of breast thermography for cancer screening and whose work is endorsed by the likes of [[Debby Bruck]]. Sadly the FirstSense Medical device is currently under development and is not available for sale within the United States or any other country.<ref>[http://www.firstsensemedical.com/management6.php Management team], FirstSense Medical</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Alternative medicine]][[Category:Cancer woo]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Cancer woo