Radiation-free Breast Cancer Screening

Thermography

1 in 8 women will get breast cancer at some point in their life making breast cancer screening crucial. Thermography, a non-invasive, radiation-free imaging technique, can help identify potential issues and abnormalities, potentially even before a tumor has formed.

Two women holding hands across a white table, with a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon on the table.

Discover a Holistic Approach to Breast Cancer Screening

Thermography, also known as Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI), is a safe, non-invasive imaging technique that measures patterns of heat and blood flow at the surface of the body. This allows it to identify areas of increased blood flow or inflammation that may be associated with early stages of disease or dysfunction, even before a tumor has formed. Beyond initial screening, it can also a useful tool for monitoring healing progress and evaluating the effectiveness of treatments.

Unlike mammograms or X-rays, thermography uses no radiation, no compression, and no contact, making it a gentle, stress-free option for breast health monitoring. At Crossroads Healing Arts, we use the Spectron IR system, one of the most advanced infrared thermography devices available today.

“Why is ‘radiation-free’ screening important?”

Unlike X-rays or mammograms, thermography uses infrared light, which is non-ionizing, meaning it does not damage cells or DNA. In contrast, even the low-dose ionizing radiation used in mammograms slightly increases lifetime cancer risk, particularly with repetitive screenings.

For example:

A single mammogram exposes you to about 0.4 millisieverts (mSv)—equivalent to about 7 weeks of natural background radiation
Repeated exposure accumulates over time and may contribute to radiation-induced breast cancer, especially with additional diagnostic follow-ups

Thermography offers peace of mind without exposure, making it an ideal screening method for those wishing to reduce unnecessary radiation in their health journey.

Our Approach

Our experienced team is dedicated to providing a comfortable thermography experience. That starts by ensuring you know what to expect from a thermography appointment. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect…

This quick & easy procedure starts with you undressing from the waist up and changing into a provided hospital gown to allow air to circulate and your body to cool down.
Once changed, you will wait for your body temperature to stabilize (about 12 minutes) while completing a brief medical history.
Once acclimated, you will be asked to sit in front of the camera, with your hands behind your head. Five different images will be taken. This allows the camera to scan the breasts, neck and underarms as well as the lymph nodes under the arms, breasts, and neck.
This part will take approximately 15 minutes for a total appointment time of 30 minutes.
The images are then analyzed by a certified medical professional to identify any potential abnormalities. Additionally, they will be archived for future comparision.

Medical imaging device, Spectron, mounted on a black stand in a clinical room with framed certificates on the wall.

Note: After your initial set of breast scans, it is highly recommended that you return for a second set of scans three months later. This second set of images will be compared to the first set to ensure that your thermal patterns have remained unchanged. It is important to establish an accurate baseline of your unique thermal heat patterns so that even the most subtle changes can be identified promptly

Discover the Benefits of Thermography

Radiation-Free - No ionizing radiation or cellular damage

May detect changes years before a mammogram

Compression-Free – No pain or breast flattening

Safe for teenagers and above

FDA approved as an adjunctive screening tool

Affordable – Only $195 per scan

No, thermography cannot diagnose breast cancer. However, it can be a valuable tool for early detection and monitoring.
In fact, no screening method (mammography, ultrasound, physical/self-exam) can diagnose, they can only suggest the presence or absence of disease. The only way to diagnose breast cancer is through a biopsy and pathological study.
Thermography has a high degree of accuracy in detecting potential abnormalities. It has a sensitivity and specificity rate of approximately 90%.
As with any test, results are often only as good as the technician performing them. Don’t hesitate to ask how much experience your technician has with the equipment and the performance of the procedure. A positive thermogram can be the single most important marker of high risk for developing breast cancer pathology.
Your images are sent to a professional group of physicians who are trained in the protocols of reading thermal images. A formal interpretation and written report, including color images, is prepared and sent to you in approximately two weeks. If quicker results are desired, rush service is available for a fee.
We are happy to send a copy of your report to any other healthcare provides upon request.
While thermography is a great screening method, it looks at the breast tissue differently than a mammogram does. For some, thermography is an adjunctive procedure and is used in conjunction with the annual mammogram and/or ultrasound. For others who may not be candidates for mammography or choose not to use mammography, thermography is a great option. Mammography can be a very useful follow up tool when warranted. When used in conjunction with thermography, the rate of early detection is increased to as much as 95%.
In the event that something suspicious should appear on your thermogram, your doctor or health care practitioner should be consulted immediately. After a thorough discussion of your options, you and your doctor or health care practitioner may decide that a mammogram or ultrasound is warranted for a different view of the area of concern.
Unfortunately, many doctors either don’t know about this technology or have out of date information as to its efficacy and benefits. If your doctor would like to receive a copy of the most current research data regarding breast thermography, please have them contact our office.
Insurance coverage for thermography varies. Check with your insurance provider to determine your specific coverage.
Our policy is to collect payment at the time of service while providing you with a receipt appropriate for filing with your insurance company for reimbursement. Thermography is not covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or Tricare.
Yes. According to the American College of Clinical Thermology, breast thermograpy is safe during pregnancy. Our thermogram uses infrared imaging and is completely non-invasive, does not use radiation, does not compress the breast and is 100% safe
Yes. According to the American College of Clinical Thermology, the accuracy of thermography is not affected in patients with implants. Since there is no compression there is zero risk of causing damage to the implants.