Experts worldwide agree that early detection is the key to fighting the onslaught of breast cancer. A woman’s chance for survival is dramatically increased with early detection. She can also save her breasts by eliminating the need for a mastectomy. The mammogram and ultrasound have thus far been the main tools for the detection of cancer.

The focus so far of current detection programs has been on detecting cancer when it is already there. Wouldn’t it be better if we can find out before it is established as breast cancer?

This question prompted HealthQuest Research 2000 Inc to search for new technology for early detection, much earlier than what would be seen in a mammogram. After analyzing how mammography is being used, two crucial observations were noted. Mammography was designed as a breast cancer detecting tool and aside from being used in breast cancer detection, mammography is also used as a screening tool.

Often used interchangeably, most people are not aware of the subtle difference between detection and screening. In detection, something is already there to be detected like a lump, lesion or abnormal growth.

Screening on the other hand is a process of systematic examination to test and evaluate the presence or risk of a disease.

Breast self exam is a form of screening which is often suggested as the first step in breast cancer awareness. But its accuracy and effectiveness is affected by multiple factors like proper positioning, procedure, time of the month breast self exam was done and other circumstances. It doesn’t allow for a more definitive assessment of risk.

For there to be a significant improvement in our fight against breast cancer, we have to use accurate and effective screening tools that can be used alongside effective detecting tools.

HealthQuest recently brought to the country the Medical Digital Infrared Thermal Imaging or MDITI, a breakthrough technology to aid in the fight against breast cancer among Filipino women.

MDITI is a screening technology that visualizes and quantifies changes in skin surface temperature. Through infrared scanning, MDITI generates a thermogram or a graphical map of the body temperature. It is able to detect abnormal temperature changes and pinpoint "hot spots" that may mean abnormal activity that the body is trying to tell us like the degeneration of an organ or the growth of a cyst or tumor.

Mammograms and ultrasound detect the presence of cysts whether benign or malignant. However, they cannot detect pre-cystic activity when there is abnormal blood vessel growth and function that can eventually lead to cysts or cancer. In other words, they can show the fully formed mass but they cannot detect it while it is still being formed.

MDITI focuses on finding abnormal changes and function in the breast that might lead to cancer or other breast diseases. It is a safe (uses no radiation or chemicals), non-invasive (no needles) and pain-free (no contact, squeezing, or pressing) 20-minute procedure that is valuable in alerting doctors and patients to changes that can indicate early stage breast disease.

The benefit of using MDITI is in offering the opportunity of screening for and detecting developing breast cancers in its pre-cancerous stage. This allows for more time to apply truly preventive measures and adapt meaningful lifestyle, dietary, nutritional, relational and emotional changes.

MDITI’s accuracy is comparable to mammography, 83 percent and 84 percent respectively, in detecting cancers that are already present and established in the breast. However, in terms of pre-cancerous stages, only MDITI can screen for spots at risk of developing into breast cancer, and do it at more than 90 percent accuracy.

MDITI results are sent to American board certified thermologists for interpretation and recommendation, and used to support mammogram and ultrasound findings. MDITI is approved by the FDA as an adjunctive and complementary tool to mammography.

It is also recognized as a viable diagnostic tool by the American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs (1987), American Chiropractic Association Council on Diagnostic Imaging (1988), Congress of Neuro-Surgeons (1988) and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (1990).

MDITI also allows users to screen, evaluate, monitor and document a large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries and sensory/autonomic nerve fibre dysfunction. It has been extensively used in the USA, Europe and different parts of Asia for the past 20 years within the clinical field of rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics and many others.

In relation to breast cancer, MDITI is valuable in the treatment of breast cancer because it detects early abnormalities before they are clinically evident; defines extent of abnormality where a diagnosis has been previously made; localizes or pinpoints an abnormal area not previously identified through traditional diagnostic methods (ex. mammogram, ultrasound), so further diagnostic tests can be performed; and monitors the effectiveness of the healing process and treatment.

An abnormal MDITI result is 10 times more significant as a future risk. A persistent abnormal MDITI result carries 22 times the risk of breast cancer. MDITI is particularly valuable as a diagnostic tool because active cancers can double in size every three months for women under 50 years old, early detection is imperative so it can be dealt with at the soonest possible time.

MDITI may be availed of at HealthQuest. The clinic uses the latest state-of-the-art MDITI technology, equipment and system in the Philippines. It also has the necessary resources to read and interpret MDITI results via board-certified US thermologists and affiliations.

MDITI often requires two or more visits, especially for those not yet diagnosed with cancer. The first visit is to get the establishing baseline as seen in the initial thermogram picture. This thermogram then becomes the point of reference for the following visits.

MDITI not only saves lives through early detection. It can empower patients and families through additional knowledge and spare them the emotional and psychological trauma of not catching the cancer simply because it was too late.

MDITI can yield financial savings by avoiding the need for expensive investigation and, by virtue of really early detection, relief from major procedures like mastectomy and chemotherapy.

HealthQuest Research 2000, Inc. is at Unit 1009 Tycoon Center, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. For more details, visit their website: www.med-detect.com