Quick Hits: Tourist Attraction Thermal Camera Spots Breast Cancer

When it comes to fighting cancer, early detection is paramount. A recent CNN article discussed an instance in which early detection came from an unlikely source. A 41-year-old woman was perusing images from her recent trip to Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, a tourist attraction in Edinburgh, when she noticed a hot spot on her breast. This prompted her to make an appointment with her doctor, which led to the diagnosis of early stage breast cancer. 

Medical experts were quick to note that there is no scientific evidence suggesting thermal cameras are effective tools for screening for breast cancer. The guiding principle behind thermography is that infrared heat cameras map patterns of heat and blood flow close to the surface of the body. Cancerous tumors attract blood flow, which would explain the hot spot on the image.