FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Mammograms have been the gold standard for early detection of breast cancer, but many doctors are now working with another tool that may identify breast cancer even sooner.

Breast Thermography uses thermal imaging to map areas of the breast.

"There's a means now with breast thermography to detect breast cancer five to eight years earlier than traditional mammography," said Dr. Michael Bauerschmidt, medical director of Full Potential Health Care in Fort Lauderdale.

Tanya Tooker decided to try thermography because of her dense breasts.

"When I went in for mammograms I often had to do it again because they said my breasts were so dense," Tooker said. "I never felt confident they could pick up a problem," she added.

With thermography, pictures of the breasts are taken with a special heat-sensing camera.

The theory is that temperature rises in areas of increased blood flow, which could be a sign of a tumor.

"Because it's a functional test, we're looking at what's happening in the body at that time," said Bauerschmidt.

The test must be done in a room set between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

After an initial set of photos is taken, patients place their hands in cool water, then a second set of images are taken.

"So if you see a hot spot before and after, you can be 67 percent sure you're dealing with cancer," said Bauerschmidt.

Tooker's test came back clear, giving her a sense of ease she never felt after getting a mammogram.

"Now I feel good and I'm going to do it every year," she said.

The American Cancer Society says that while thermography offers promise, there are no published, peer-reviewed studies showing that it is an effective screening tool for finding breast cancer early. Even those who support thermography for breast cancer screening say it should not replace mammography, but should be used as a complementary procedure.

To reach Bauerschmidt, call 954-306-6497.