A domestic institute has developed the technology to diagnose breast cancer using electromagnetic waves.

The Korea Communications Commission (KCC) said Thursday that it commissioned the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) to develop a breast cancer imaging diagnosis system using electromagnetic waves. The KCC allocated three billion won for the development.

The commission says the new system can detect a tumor as small as five millimeters.

KCC added that the system poses no risk of radiation exposure, unlike X-ray or breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

KCC expects the technology will likely be commercialized in the second half of next year after a clinical test.