Breast thermography is a physiological test that provides information on the temperature and infrared heat patterns of the breast. Because the skin naturally emits thermal radiation (heat), it is well suited to infrared imaging. Thermography differs from mammography in that it offers information on the physiological activity of the breast rather than the internal anatomy—it is a functional test, whereas mammography is a structural one.

Temperature measurements differ across various parts of the body, but in a healthy individual the patterns are generally relatively symmetrical. When a thermogram shows patterns that fall outside the expected range, it can prompt a conversation with your physician about whether closer monitoring or further investigation may be helpful.

Because thermograms in a healthy person tend to remain remarkably constant over time, a series of thermograms can be compared to assess changes. A healthy initial thermogram serves as a personal baseline against which future thermograms can be compared.