Women warned away from alternative breast imaging

July 6, 2010

The Queensland Government and Cancer Council Queensland have urged women not to rely on alternative breast imaging technologies to detect breast cancer.

The warning is a response to an increase in promotion of alternative breast imaging technologies which have not been proven to detect early-stage breast cancers.

The state’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said screening mammography was the most effective tool to improve survival by detecting breast cancer early.

“Health authorities Australia-wide have warned there is no current scientific evidence that thermography detects breast cancer early or reduces deaths from the disease,” Dr Young said.

“It’s a concern to see an increase in advertising promotions for breast thermography which could confuse and mislead women into falsely believing that thermography can detect early-stage breast cancers.

“Screening mammography programs such as BreastScreen Queensland’s nationally-accredited program give women the best chance of early detection and survival.”

The National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre says studies have shown a tumour has to be large, or several centimetres in diameter, before it can be detected by thermography.

Screening mammograms can detect breast cancer at a much smaller size and so help to reduce deaths from breast cancer, the centre said. It noted with alarm that fewer than half of breast cancers detected by mammography screening have an abnormal thermogram that would enable them to be detected by thermography.

Cancer Council Queensland supports the Chief Health Officer’s warning and the National Breast and Ovarian Cancer Centre’s position statement.

Director of Research for Cancer Council Queensland, Professor Suzanne Chambers, said women should discuss their cancer risk and screening options with their doctor.

“Breast cancer is the second highest cause of cancer-related death in Queensland women and we urge women to be fully informed about the best methods of prevention and early detection, particularly in relation to screening,” Professor Chambers said.

“Women aged between 50 and 69 years of age should have a screening mammogram every two years, and those with a family history or who notice any changes in their breast tissue or the surrounding area should consult their GP.

“A mammogram can detect breast cancer before a woman has symptoms, which means the disease can be treated in early stages and the likelihood of survival is significantly better.

“We also encourage women to be ‘breast aware’ by getting to know the normal look and feel of their breasts, which can help them to notice any unusual changes.

“Ultimately, until we determine what causes breast cancers, early detection through screening mammography is the best way to reduce mortality,” Professor Chambers said.

Other authorities that do not support the use of thermography for early detection of breast cancer include the Australian Screening Sub-Committee, and the Breast Imaging Reference Group of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiology.

Queensland Health’s BreastScreen Queensland Program provides women over 50 with free, high-quality, evidence-based breast cancer screening. Women in their 40s and over 70 are also eligible to attend.

For more information, please contact the Cancer Council Helpline on 13 11 20.

To locate or contact your nearest BreastScreen Queensland Screening and Assessment Service, please click here.