Breast cancer is a threat to women around the world and it's the most common type of cancer affecting them. So, when a new tool is developed to help detect early signs of the disease, the medical community takes notice. CGTN's Alasdair Baverstock reports from Mexico - on one innovation showing promise.

Julian Rios grew up in the shadow of cancer? He was just a small boy when his mother was first diagnosed with breast cancer. It would come back with a vengeance when he was about 15.

JULIAN RIOS CEO, EVA CLINIC "My mum had access to the best medical services in the world, she was treating herself in Houston, Texas. And despite all of that she was diagnosed at a very late stage - stage 3 cancer diagnosis. And I thought to myself that if that was the case for a woman with very high acquisitive power, with private insurance, and more importantly a preventive mindset, what would be the case for the rest of the women in Mexico, or the rest of the women in the world? It wouldn't be a mastectomy, which is what happened to my mum, which in an amputation of both of your breasts. It would have been a death sentence."

So Julian the teenager sought a solution, even dropping out of university to pursue his passion, and now, at age 20, has won five million dollars in funding to develop his idea - a 'smart-bra' designed to detect early signs of breast cancer.

It's designed around the biology of breast cancer, worldwide the most common form of the disease among women, with more than 2 million new cases diagnosed last year.

JULIAN RIOS CEO, EVA CLINICS "Cancer is any disease that reproduces abnormally cells. And for that cell reproduction to happen you need oxygen and you need nutrients - that's what cells feed on. And the thing that transports oxygen and nutrients is blood. So tumors go through a process called neovascularization, which is surrounding themselves with blood vessels. So when you have a tumor, you have more blood, and since blood is the main heated liquid in the body, you have more temperature."

Equipped with 184 individual sensors, the smart bra creates a thermal map of a mammary gland, identifying points of heat to offer hints as to what might be going on inside. A complete scan takes five minutes and it's recommended women run the diagnostics once a week.

ALASDAIR BAVERSTOCK PUEBLA, MEXICO "When it comes to effective breast cancer detection, health officials agree there's really no substitute for mammography screenings. But a home kit like this could prove an important tool - and enable women themselves to flag early signs of the disease."

Julian's smart-bra has been cleared for sale throughout Latin America beginning this fall, priced at about 300 dollars. He's hoping to wrap up clinical trials in the United States and win government approval to market the bra there by the end of the year.

Dr. Dante Carbajal is an oncologist in Mexico City, and says while it's a good idea, more research is required.

DANTE CARBAJAL ONCOLOGIST "There is certainly logic behind the theory of this device, but I must say I have my doubts. These diseases start at microscopic levels and detection can be almost impossible. I hope it works, but before we get excited, clinical studies and official recognition from medical institutions will be essential."

As his technology is employed against cancer, Julian says millions of lives stand to benefit.

JULIAN RIOS CEO, EVA CLINICS "I think we have a high chance of changing the world, by empowering women to own their health."

Alasdair Baverstock, CGTN, Mexico City.