‘Nobody Needs to Die of Breast Cancer’
Breast cancer is one of the most common and life-threatening diseases affecting women worldwide. According to the WHO, in 2022 alone, around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with it, and 6,70,000 lost their lives. Despite medical advancements, breast cancer continues to pose a major health challenge, especially in low-resource regions where access to early detection and treatment is limited. Speaking at Rising 2025, Geetha Manjunath, managing director at Niramai Health Analytix, shared how she transitioned from a computer scientist to an entrepreneur after her cousin passed away due to breast cancer. “One of my very close cousin sisters, a few years younger [to me], was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. That was extremely shocking,” she said. This personal experience motivated her to leave her corporate job and establish Niramai eight years ago. Challenges in Breast Cancer Detection Manjunath said that breast cancer is a major health concern, with approximately 2,000 deaths occurring worldwide daily. “Nobody needs to die of breast cancer. It is completely curable, but late detection leads to high mortality rates.” Noting that 50% of breast cancer deaths occur in Asia due to late diagnosis, she added, “96% of people go to a hospital only when they notice a lump, which is already a late stage.” Manjunath revealed that traditional screening methods pose several challenges. Mammograms, which are the standard detection tool, are expensive, require skilled operators, and are recommended only for women above 45 years. “27% of cancer deaths happen under 45, and there is absolutely no test that is objective or standard for detecting breast cancer under 45 years today, anywhere in the world,” she explained. Introducing Thermalytix Niramai has developed a novel AI-driven solution called Thermalytix, which converts thermal images of the chest into cancer health reports. “We just measure the temperature variations using a thermal sensor, placed two and a half feet away, without any radiation or touch,” Manjunath described. This non-invasive, privacy-friendly method uses AI algorithms to detect abnormal temperature patterns. “The AI processes thermal images and marks areas of concern, providing a report within minutes,” she said. Unlike mammograms, this technology works for women of all ages, from 18 to 80, making it widely accessible. She mentioned that thanks to AI and the innovations associated with it, these screenings can now be provided in hospitals, outreach programmes, and corporate settings. This is not the first time AI has been used to detect breast cancer. Earlier this year, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a deep learning system called ‘Mirai’ to predict breast cancer risk from mammograms. It gained attention as it can detect breast cancer five years before it develops. Impact and Adoption Several hospitals, including HCG, Apollo Clinic, and Narayana Health, have adopted Niramai’s technology. “We have also expanded internationally, with adoption in over 20 countries, including the US, Europe, and parts of Asia,” Manjunath stated. Niramai has received regulatory clearances from India, the European Union, and the United States, ensuring its global applicability. Privacy and data security are crucial considerations. “We comply with ISO 27001, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations to ensure data privacy and security,” she confirmed. Future Prospects Looking ahead, Niramai plans to extend its technology beyond breast cancer detection. “Why can’t we use the same technology for other abnormalities? Some doctors have already asked us to explore this,” she concluded.
Niramai has developed an AI-driven solution which converts thermal images of the chest into cancer health reports.
Breast cancer is one of the most common and life-threatening diseases affecting women worldwide.
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Siddharth is a media graduate who loves to explore tech through journalism and putting forward ideas worth pondering about in the era of artificial intelligence.