Infrared imaging for breast cancer detection: An objective review of foundational studies and its proper role in breast cancer screening

Infrared imaging, or digital infrared thermal imaging (DITI), is an FDA-approved adjunct to mammography that can detect thermal abnormalities in the breast associated with breast cancer. Seminal studies in the United States and Europe demonstrated the ability of infrared thermography to detect breast cancer and assess a patient's associated risk and prognosis. This review introduces infrared thermography in the context of breast cancer screening to the scientist or engineer and objectively outlines the clinical evidence for and against the screening technique based on large-population and long-term studies. The progression of infrared technology is briefly summarized, a historical timeline of infrared thermography is outlined, its limitations are discussed, and finally the proper role of infrared thermography in breast cancer screening is presented.