Thermographic imaging systems have been used by healthcare professionals to indicate patterns of heat and blood flow near the surface of the body. However, some healthcare providers have also utilized the devices to screen and diagnose breast cancer. Unfortunately, thermographic imaging systems do not provide patients with a comprehensive test. Despite widely publicized claims to the contrary, thermography should not be used in place of mammography for breast cancer screening or diagnosis.
If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed by a thermographic imaging system, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free confidential case evaluation. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.
What’s the problem?
For the moment, mammography’s remain the most trusted and affective screening method in terms of detecting breast cancer. However, several healthcare providers and manufacturers of thermographic imaging systems boast that thermal imaging procedures can replace a mammography. However, thermographic imaging systems have been called into question by many in the medical community, as there is no scientific evidence that supports their effectiveness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is not aware of any valid scientific data to show that thermographic devices, when used on their own, are an effective screening tool for any medical condition including the early detection of breast cancer or other breast disease.
However, thermography devices have been cleared by the FDA for use as an adjunct, or additional, tool for detecting breast cancer. Accordingly, thermography should not be used by itself to screen for or to diagnose breast cancer. Patients who only use a thermographic imaging system to screen for breast cancer may miss the chance to detect cancer at its earliest stage. As a result, patients increase their chances of being misdiagnosed. A failure to detect the cancer may allow the cancer to metastasize and potentially become more life-threatening.
FDA Warning
The following FDA safety communication is intended to warn women and the healthcare community that thermographic imaging systems do not serve as an acceptable replacement to mammograms when screening for breast cancer:
Certain facilities, websites, and mobile units are promoting the use of thermography as a stand-alone evaluation tool for screening and diagnosing breast cancer, claiming that is a substitute for or superior to mammography. They also claim that thermography can detect pre-cancerous abnormalities and diagnose breast cancer long before mammography and that compressing the breast during mammography will cause or spread cancer by pushing cancer cells into additional locations in the body. The FDA is concerned that women will believe these misleading claims about thermography and not receive needed mammograms.
The FDA is issuing this communication to alert the public, including women and health care providers, that thermography is not a replacement for screening mammography and should not be used by itself to diagnose breast cancer. The FDA is not aware of any valid scientific data to show that thermographic devices, when used on their own, are an effective screening tool for any medical condition including the early detection of breast cancer or other breast disease.
Do I Have A Thermographic Imaging Lawsuit?
The trial lawyers at The Senators (Ret.) Firm, LLP have decades of experience navigating through complex legislative and regulatory issues and litigating high stakes cases all over the nation. Our law firm focuses on the representation of plaintiffs in thermographic imaging lawsuits. We are currently accepting new cases in all 50 states.
Again, If you or a loved one has been misdiagnosed by a thermographic imaging system, you should contact our lawyers immediately by clicking the link below or calling toll free 1-(949) 557-5800. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and we can help.