Thermal Imaging and Analysis for Breast Tumor Detection

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, except for non-melanoma skin cancers. Women in North America have the highest rate of breast cancer in the world and the chance of a woman developing this cancer is 13% (ACS). Resulting deaths have been decreasing mainly due to early detection and increased awareness. This study analyzes the use of a thermogram as a potential method for breast cancer detection. The breast is evaluated by an infrared camera and a temperature profile is produced. Proper study of the image can show if a tumor is present. A computer simulation of this procedure was used to model the temperature profile and its change as certain parameters vary. Results show that in the present of a tumor, there is a difference in surface temperature of the breast. Input values such as tumor size, tumor location, heat transfer coefficients, and perfusion rates were varied to determine the reliability of a positive result despite differences in each unique breast from woman to woman.