Early screening is crucial

Breast cancer is on the rise both in rural and urban India, and is the most common type of cancer. In the metros, breast cancer accounts for about 30% of all female cancers.

Post breast cancer survival for Indian women is estimated to be around 60%, as compared more than 80% in the USA. The survival rates in India are low because the detection takes place late and by the time the cancer is detected it is already in an advance stage resulting in higher mortality. The only way one can change the dismal scenario is by increasing public awareness and implementing an appropriate programme for cancer screening.

Thermal imaging

Most common methods currently used for cancer screening are clinical examination, mammography and ultrasound. Among them, mammography is considered as a gold standard for breast cancer screening. It uses X‐rays to image the breast region after it is compressed and a computer-aided detection system searches digitised images for abnormal areas of density, mass, or calcification that may indicate the presence of cancer.

Typically, cancerous tumours have high density compared to surrounding
region and can be easily distinguished from other regions. From surveys, it has been found that women do not prefer undergoing mammography due to the fear of exposure to hazardous X-rays, and the general perception that the procedure is painful. In recent times, breast thermography is emerging as a reliable alternative technique for screening.

Since cancer cells grow very fast, blood flow and metabolism are higher in a cancerous tumour causing the skin temperature to go up by about 2°C. This increase can be captured with infrared cameras. Thermography outperforms other modalities when it comes to early detection.

Recent developments in thermal sensors, image capture protocols, imaging algorithms and computer‐aided software diagnostics have been spectacular and very soon breast thermography will be a mainstream cancer screening modality.

Infrared thermography is the recording of temperature distribution of a body using the infrared radiation emitted by the surface of that body at wavelengths between 7 and 14 micrometer. The sensitivity of modern infrared cameras is such that temperature differences as low as 0.025°C can be detected.

Yet another advancement is in the domain of interpreting the thermograms using artificial intelligence and deep learning. Automatic screening tools have obviated the need for trained medical practitioners for analysing the thermography images.

In recent times, many institutions both in government and private sectors in the country have come out with thermal imaging units which can be deployed for mass screening.

Regular screening and early detection play a pivotal role in reducing mortality due to breast cancer in the country. Mammography, the currently accepted standard for breast cancer screening, requires higher investments in terms of equipment, area and qualified and experienced radiologists. On the contrary, breast thermography being safe, less expensive, contactless, portable, more user-friendly and eminently suited for rural camps, will soon be a powerful tool in fighting breast cancer.

(The author is a retired scientist from Department of Atomic Energy)