Sep 28, 2017

Health Canada is reminding Canadians and women in particular, that thermograms (which use thermal imaging) are not a substitute for mammograms used for routine monitoring and screening for breast cancer. While thermography devices are available in Canada, these devices have not been licensed in Canada to screen for breast cancer. They have been licensed by Health Canada only to measure skin temperature, similar to a thermometer.

Health Canada is not aware of any clinical evidence that thermography devices can be used effectively for the early detection of breast cancer. If women are relying solely on thermography results, there is a potential risk that cancer could go undetected.

Mammography, which is a low-dose x-ray system to see inside the breasts, is the most reliable technique in screening for early-stage breast cancer, and has been proven to be safe and effective. Specialized equipment used in mammography is licensed by Health Canada and is widely available across Canada.