Thermography is a test that uses an infrared camera to detect heat patterns and blood flow in body tissues. The idea is that various conditions within the body may lead to increased blood flow. This higher flow to an area will result in a higher temperature that will be detected by the thermogram.
Thermography has been around since the 1950s. Today, it is often used as adjunct imaging study in addition to mammography. One advantage is that thermography does not give off radiation, while mammography which uses low-dose X-rays to visualize the breast tissue. Thermography is noninvasive. Moreover, there is no radiation exposure, no compression of the breasts, and no real risks associated with the test which is performed using a camera.
Nevertheless, because a study in the 1970's found that thermography was less sensitive than mammography at picking up cancer, thermography is not considered an alternative to mammography. In addition, although thermography is safe, the test has a high false-positive rate. The cost of thermography varies from place to place and ranges between $250-500 USD.
Other conditions where thermography may be useful include but are not limited to lymphatic congestion and hormonal imbalances. The test may also be used to monitor dietary changes. If you are interested in learning more about thermography and whether it may be helpful to you, ask your doctor.