Feasibility of New-generation Infrared Imaging Screening for Breast Cancer in Rural Communities

Breast cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. Important advances have improved survival, but early detection remains the main clinical challenge in reducing mortality. Currently, mammography is the ‘gold standard’ tool for breast cancer screening. However, the search for an early breast cancer detection method is the subject of extensive research. Although infrared imaging or breast thermography for early breast cancer detection has been evaluated since the late 1950s, the negative results reported in 1979 by the Breast Cancer Detection and Demonstration Project decreased interest in this imaging modality. Advances in infrared imaging and reduced equipment costs have, however, renewed interest in breast thermography. Breast cancer in developing countries requires new strategies to increase early detection and access to care. In this article, we highlight the principles and advances of infrared imaging technology and describe our experience with new-generation infrared imaging for early breast cancer detection in rural communities in southern Mexico.