History of Thermal Imaging

Thermography has a long history. Breast thermography was discovered in 1956 in Montreal, Canada and rapidly became popular throughout the world. It was FDA cleared and then certified by the American Medical Association as an adjunctive screening procedure for breast cancer in 1982. Recent advancements in technology have allowed us to perform even more accurate exams. A 2008 Study published in the American Journal of Surgery, performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital Cornell showed a 97% sensitivity in discriminating cancer compared to biopsy.

The Biomedical Handbook says:

“In 1982 FDA approved Thermography as an adjunctive Breast screening procedure. Breast Thermography has the ability to detect the first signs of a tumor that may be forming up to 10 years before other procedures can detect it. The greatest evidence supporting the underlying principle of thermal imaging regarding cancerous tumors surrounds the well-documented recruitment of existing vascularity and diagnosis. Conclusion: Thermography has the ability to signal that pre-cursors, such as lymph congestion, hormone imbalance and inflammation may be forming, and set up an ‘alarm’ as much as 10 years before other procedures can recognize them.”

Although medical thermography has been around for several decades, it has not received the attention and credit it deserves from the medical establishment. However, there is evidence of more patients becoming aware of this amazing technology and it’s not unusual that the patient is the one who ends up informing their physician about thermography.