While many of us are aware breast cancer, we often neglect how imperative it is to take the steps to detect the disease in its early stages and we also fail to encourage others to take such steps.

1 in 4 Malaysian are likely to contract cancer in their lifetime and one of the top 5 cancers that affect both men and women in Malaysia is breast cancer. Thus, it is essential for women to do breast check-ups annually. An entirely radiation-free option to check your breasts are Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging (DITI).

DITI is an advanced heat-based warning system to detect breast cancer in its early stages. It is a technology which detects abnormal heat patterns that may be the signs of breast cancer. DITI is able to help put most worries to rest as it is non-invasive, radiation-free, pain-less and requires no compression of the breasts.

DITI is able to detect lumps as tiny as the size of a pea as an increased supply of blood to the abnormal breast tissue growth would cause an increase in breast temperature – which results in abnormal heat patterns portrayed in images taken by DITI.

The procedure involved in DITI screening is: the patient would stand partially undressed in front of the screening machine. No pain or discomfort is involved as breast is not compressed. The first session provides the baseline of the thermal signature. Similar to fingerprints, breast heart patterns are unique. Subsequent screenings would show if there are any variance in the heat patterns of the breasts. Moreover, for those constantly on-the-go, this screening can be completed in 15 minutes.

This screening method is suitable for women of all ages, but those in their 30’s to 50’s would find it more useful as denser breast tissue makes mammography less effective. DITI may not be able to entirely replace mammography; it is an adjunctive procedure that provides no radiation. It is always crucial to combine DITI with other monitoring methods such as self-examination, mammography or physician visits.