Health Update

by Joy Angelica Subido

Breast cancer is one of the most common kinds of cancer. Although some men can be afflicted with the disease, more women suffer from it, with an estimated one million cases diagnosed worldwide each year. For almost half or 500,000 individuals, the ailment will eventually prove fatal. Fortunately, however, increasing awareness about the disease has led to earlier detection and treatment, subsequently resulting in lower mortality rates. Improved medical treatments for breast cancer have also been developed, leading to remission and cure. However, early detection remains a key factor towards increasing the chances for survival.

We were recently introduced to a technology that ostensibly helps in detecting the earliest stages of breast cancer. Called Medical Digital Thermal Imaging or MDITI, the technology works based on the principle that abnormal cell growth in cancer results in increased cellular activity that consequently generates heat. Through infrared scanning, MDITI generates a thermogram or graphical map of body temperature. The abnormal temperature changes will then pinpoint “hot spots” that can indicate degeneration of an organ, or the growth of a cyst or tumor.

“MDITI’s accuracy is comparable to mammography,” says Dr. Roderick Tan. He explains that while a mammogram has an accuracy rate of 84 percent, MDITI’s accuracy is 83 percent in detecting cancers that are already growing or established in the breast. “The difference between the two technologies is that during pre-cancerous stages, only MDITI can screen for spots at risk of developing into breast cancer at more than 90-percent accuracy.”

Although mammograms and ultrasound are able to detect the presence of benign or malignant cysts, they cannot detect pre-cystic activity when there is abnormal blood vessel growth and function that can eventually lead to cysts and cancer. Simply put, these standard diagnostic procedures are able to show the fully formed mass, but cannot detect it while it is still being formed.

Who should go for examination? Dr. Tan says that MDITI is recommended for all women, especially those with a family history of breast cancer, and women whose diets and lifestyle put them at greater risk. “Through a multimodal approach that employs clinical examination coupled with mammography and MDITI, 95 percent of early-stage cancers can be detected. The rates of false positive results and missed cancerous masses are also decreased.”

Furthermore, an abnormal MDITI result is 10 times more significant as a future risk, and a persistent abnormal result carries 22 times greater risk for breast cancer.

The best part about MDITI is that it is a quick, non-invasive and pain-free procedure. It uses no chemicals or radiation, there are no needles, and there is no physical contact through squeezing or pressing. The simple 20-minute procedure can be done as often as possible with no harmful side effects. However, the MDITI procedure requires two or more visits, especially for those not yet diagnosed with cancer. The first visit is to establish a baseline that will serve as a point of reference for subsequent examinations.

Says Dr. Tan, “Additionally, MDITI enables the physician to screen, evaluate, monitor, and document a large number of injuries and conditions, including soft tissue injuries and sensory/autonomic nerve fiber dysfunction. It has been extensively used in the USA, Europe, and different parts of Asia for the past 20 years in the clinical fields of rheumatology, neurology, physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports medicine, oncology, pediatrics, orthopedics, and many others.”
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The MDITI procedure is available at the HealthQuest Research clinic of Dr. Roderick Tan, Unit 1009, Tycoon Center, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Call 706-3876 or 09178168707

Source: Philippine Star