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The utilization of thermal imaging in the evaluation of the human breast has been for the past two decades a highly effective form of screening for breast cancer and other breast disease. The procedure however, is not without controversy and a continuing debate concerning the competitive paradox with mammography as the gold standard in breast cancer screening/detection still exists. This paper and its accompanying oral presentation at Thermosense XXI will provide a brief historic overview of breast thermal imaging and will explore the authors concepts of the paradigm shift which needs to occur in order for breast thermal imaging to gain acceptance in the scientific, medical, and public communities. Early thermal imaging equipment sold for medical application were based on liquid crystal detector plates, or electronic low band infrared detectors. While the final output of these devices was quite colorful and impressive, they lacked the quantification necessary to accurately measure temperature from a medical perspective, and as such, many false positive findings and papers were produced which damaged the early credibility of the procedure. The author has previously suggested appropriate changes in both technology and in utilization protocol for correction of errors which have hindered the advancement and indeed, the further development and implementation of this most beneficial quantitative diagnostic tool.
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