FDA Warns Providers and Patients: Thermography is Not an Alternative to Mammography

On June 2, 2011, The US Food and Drug Administration issued a safety communication regarding the use of thermography in breast cancer screening. The FDA stated, “…thermography is not a replacement for screening mammography and should not be used by itself to diagnose breast cancer. The FDA is not aware of any valid scientific data to show that thermographic devices, when used on their own, are an effective screening tool for any medical condition including the early detection of breast cancer or other breast disease.” Click here to read full FDA statement.

The American College of Radiology issued the following response to the FDA statement:

“The position of the American College of Radiology is that thermography has not been demonstrated to have value as a screening, diagnostic, or adjunctive imaging tool. We are pleased that the FDA has taken this step to clarify its view on thermography. Thermography is not a substitute for mammography screening. Mammography remains the gold standard for breast cancer screening. We recommend that women begin annual mammography screening at age 40.”

The Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) statement on thermography use can be found at the link below:

SBI Statement on Thermography

For more information on mammography screening, please visit www.MammographySavesLives.org.