“A thermography scan detected that something was going on in my breast four years before anything was seen on mammogram,” one MyBCTeam member wrote. It’s easy to find similar stories online. However, a mammogram is still considered the gold standard for breast cancer screening.

Thermography, or thermal imaging, is sometimes promoted as a more comfortable alternative to a traditional mammogram. But many health experts point out that mammograms are more effective.

Here we’ll compare the key differences between thermography and mammography.

Key Differences Between a Thermogram and a Mammogram

There are quite a few differences between a thermogram and a mammogram. These include differences in accuracy, comfort, radiation exposure, cost and insurance coverage, ease of access, age limits, and contraindications.

Accuracy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that a thermogram isn’t accurate enough to detect breast cancer without using other tools. If something unusual appeared on your thermogram, your next step would be to get a mammogram. Therefore, it may be more cost-effective and efficient to simply get a mammogram.

False negatives are also more common with thermograms. A false-negative result would mean you do have breast cancer, but the thermogram shows nothing unusual. On the other hand, a false-positive result means that you don’t have breast cancer, but the thermogram says you do.

Thermography works by scanning the temperature from the surface of your skin, so tumors located deep within the breast tissue may not be detected on a thermogram. Mammograms, on the other hand, show dense tumors located anywhere in the breast. This may explain the higher rate of false negatives in breast thermography.

Still, proponents of thermography say the technology has come a long way since it was first introduced in the 1950s.

In 2025, the journal Cancers published a critical review of 15 thermography studies dating back to 2003. In those studies, false-positive results occurred in 0.83 percent to 86 percent of people.

In comparison, mammography finds breast cancer in 87 percent of those who have it, and false positives occur about 10 percent of the time. Taking images of the breast from more than two angles (a technique known as 3D mammography or tomosynthesis) produces even better results.

For these reasons, a mammogram is the gold standard for breast cancer screening.

Comfort

Thermography is sometimes touted as a more comfortable alternative to a mammogram.

Mammograms can be uncomfortable. Each breast is squeezed between two plates to ensure a high-quality image. The resulting pressure can hurt.

“The mammogram process was horrible,” one MyBCTeam member wrote. “It was so painful. I dread next year.”

“Even with the best techs, this isn’t a comfortable procedure,” another member agreed.

It’s no wonder why some people are interested in touchless imaging like thermography. Because thermography uses a camera, nothing comes in contact with your breast. It’s a painless procedure because it doesn’t compress the breasts.

Radiation Exposure

Some people worry about being exposed to high-energy radiation during a mammogram. Mammograms, like all X-rays, emit small doses of a type of radiation known to cause cancer.

However, the American Cancer Society says there’s a very low risk of getting cancer from a single X-ray, and that the benefits of a mammogram typically outweigh the risks.

The infrared cameras used in thermography don’t emit radiation. Instead, they detect low levels of thermal radiation (also called thermal energy). There’s no cancer risk associated with the thermography procedure.

Cost

Many women over the age of 40 can get a free annual mammogram. Typically, you need to have commercial health insurance or Medicare and use an in-network provider.

If you don’t qualify, you may be able to get a free or low-cost mammogram through nonprofits or government programs. If that’s not an option either, you could spend anywhere from $100 to $1,000 on a mammogram.

Thermography, on the other hand, typically isn’t covered by insurance. It can cost several hundred dollars per appointment.

Access

Mammograms are widely available, and some mobile mammogram units travel around to improve accessibility. If you want a thermogram, you may need to travel further due to the limited number of hospitals or clinics that offer this service.

Age Limits and Contraindications

Mammogram screening works when a tumor is more dense than the surrounding breast tissue, causing it to stand out as a white mass.

Young breast tissue starts off dense and becomes less dense with age. This means that mammograms can be tough to read for people in their 20s or 30s because the density of the tumor may match the density of the breast tissue, causing it to blend in.

According to a review article published in Cureus, thermography is not affected by breast density. However, the FDA says thermography should not replace mammography, even in people with dense breasts.

Your healthcare provider can perform a risk assessment to determine if a mammogram will work for you.

Can Thermography Replace Mammograms?

The FDA, American Cancer Society, American College of Radiology, and Society of Breast Imaging agree that thermography shouldn’t replace an annual mammogram.

While there may be some benefit to breast thermography, oncologists typically view thermography as a supplemental screening tool, not a primary one.

Breast thermography is similar to breast self-exams. Doing them regularly may help you know your breast tissue and detect any abnormality, but you should still get a mammogram every year.

Likewise, it’s fine to get a thermogram, but don’t cancel your mammogram appointment without talking to your healthcare provider.

Creating a Breast Cancer Screening Plan

Should you get a thermography scan? That’s a personal decision that you can discuss with your doctor.

Share any concerns you may have about getting a mammogram with your doctor. Some breast cancer detection methods, such as MRI and ultrasound, are painless and don’t expose you to high-energy radiation. These imaging options may also be more accurate than current thermography procedures.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you had both thermography and mammograms? How would you compare them? Let others know in the comments below.