Users are taken through one-time onboarding on the app which includes entering the details of their period cycle – if they have one – to offer the correct date for their self-check. They then build a personalized map of their torso by providing their bra size, and breast shape and sliding the handheld device to rescale the baseline model. Once set up, the app guides women through the self-check by showing which areas they need to scan. The position of the device on the torso is determined by Dotplot’s pre-trained system which analyses the orientation of the device relative to the ground. A sound signal of a known frequency is emitted to record the tissue composition at the site. Each month's reading is compared to the previously recorded readings to highlight any abnormalities developing in the tissue. Users can choose to send reports directly to their doctor.

In the period from 2016-2018, breast cancer is the most common cancer in females located in UK, with around 55,500 new cases every year. Moreover, existing scanners/devices are designed chiefly for clinical use. Dotplot however is targeted at home-use, as it looks to provide women with more autonomy over their breast health care. There are no off-the-shelf products capable of providing real-time feedback on the areas covered during a breast self-check. This feature is critical for assuring women that they have checked over every region.

It is designed to facilitate the early detection of breast cancer by enabling and encouraging women to stick to a regular breast-self check routine.