Last Updated on May 18, 2023 by Shabnam Sengupta
The Government of India released statistics revealing that in the year 2020, approximately four out of every ten individuals diagnosed with breast cancer succumbed to the disease. According to the National Cancer Registry Programme report from the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research, there was a significant increase of 39.4 percent in overall cancer cases among women in India in 2020. This report encompasses both breast and cervical cancer cases. Additionally, it highlighted that advanced age, obesity, alcoholism, and hereditary factors contribute to the prevalence of breast cancer. In such a situation, Geetha Manjunath came up with a pathbreaking innovation which has potential of changing the lives of so many women who are living with the fear of breast cancer.
A call that changed everything
Today, breast cancer evokes significant fear and apprehension. One of the primary reasons for this dread is the difficulty in early detection of its symptoms and the exorbitant costs of its treatment. Financial constraints frequently hinder access to appropriate medical care, resulting in untimely fatalities.
Geetha Manjunath, a resident of Bengaluru, Karnataka, experienced a tragic loss when her cousin sister, aged 42, succumbed to breast cancer that couldn’t be timely treated. This life-altering event came about through a phone call. Following that call, Geetha made a significant decision to leave her job in artificial intelligence (AI) and embarked on a quest to find a solution. Her goal was to develop a technique that not only simplified the examination of breast cancer but also encouraged women over the age of 18 to undergo tests, all while eliminating the need for mammograms – a procedure known for its discomfort and pain. Leveraging her experience in working with various image modalities at Xerox Research Centre India (XRCI), Geetha opted to explore the potential of thermal imaging as a viable approach.
The beginning of Niramai Health Analytix
According to an article titled ‘Early detection of breast cancer using infrared technology – A comprehensive review’ published in ScienceDirect, thermography is a procedure that helps in detecting tumours in the body through change in body temperature. The procedure is facilitated by Thermalytix, a device made by Geetha. She started using the device under NIRAMAI or ‘Non-Invasive Risk Assessment with Machine Intelligence’.
Geetha said, “The initial challenges that we faced after making the device were to test it and take it out to people. We approached Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, to find a solution and the device made a successful examination of around 72 cancer patients there. We also approached other hospitals and doctors so that the device could be put to use for maximum people’s benefit and it won the trust of the medical fraternity. Soon after, the BMS Hospital also told use that we could test our device at their place. We also received an invitation from the Karnataka Cancer Society to put up a camp.”
In September 2022, Niramai Health Analytix started the use of Thermalytix solution, based on AI, in Kerala.
How the device works
Geetha said the device measures the change in the body temperature through thermal images. After that, a cancer-screening report is prepared with the help of AI. If any abnormality is found, the patient is sent for an ultrasound examination.
“When around 100 people go for a mammogram test for detection of breast cancer, only two-three are diagnosed with the disease. By making an appropriate examination with Thermalytix, those same people go for advanced testing where tumours are detected. This is where this device gives us an advantage,” she said.
The speciality of this device is that it can be used without physically touching the patient and maintains secrecy of each case. A screen is placed between the technician and the breast cancer patient and while the latter sits in front of the device, the technician watches his laptop. The machine is completely radiation-free and user friendly. Till now, 75,000 patients of breast cancer have been examined with his device and they have expressed satisfaction over its use.
Avoiding the mammogram inconvenience
A breast cancer patient, who did her examination through Niramai Health Analytix, said, “Generally, patients above 40 have to do the mammogram procedure but the experience is painful. When I did the Thermalytix examination, I realised that breast-cancer examination can be painless, and the procedure can be completed in just 10-15 minutes.”
Speaking about her future plan, Geetha said she wants to reach out to patients in rural areas next; make them aware of breast cancer and help them avail the medical facilities. She added that women in village areas often find themselves restricted by conservative traditions and that makes treatment of breast cancers more challenging.
Geetha Manjunath’s efforts towards making treatment of breast cancer have brought a major change not only because her device strengthens the fight against breast cancer but also aims at supporting women in rural areas in the battle against the deadly disease. One would hope that steps taken by people like Geetha would reduce the number of cases of breast cancer and women would become more aware of their health.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.