A simple coin-sized device might be the latest in technology to detect even early stages of lung cancer, say American// researchers.
The colorimetric sensor developed by Dr. Peter Mazzone and his team from Cleveland Clinic and the company ChemSensing of Illinois has 36 color dots that change color when a person with lung cancer exhales on to it.
The principle behind this is quite simple, though the technology is not.
Tumorous growths or cancer cells in the lung release some volatile organic chemicals. These are passed into the air that leaves the diseased lungs. These compounds then interact with the different chemicals in the sensor and elicit color changes in them.
The researchers tested the device on 143 persons with lung cancer, other lung disorders and persons with healthy lungs. They were asked to use the device for 12 minutes.
The test was able to detect around 75 percent of the cases of lung cancer. Yet there were false positives too. In spite of this, Mazzone says, "Ultimately, this line of investigation could lead to an inexpensive, non-invasive screening or diagnostic test for lung cancer."
Catching lung cancer early, when it is still treatable, could save tens of thousands of lives a year in the United States alone. It is the most common form of malignant cancer and also kills the most people, partly because it is not usually detected until it has spread.
So far, the most accurate detector of cancer has been dogs.
In 2006, researchers found dogs could be trained to smell cancer on the breath of patients with 99 per cent accuracy.
Dr. Jesme Fox, medical oncologist and medical director at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, has welcomed the invention "There is a desperate need to get people diagnosed earlier.
"At the moment we rely on people coming forward with symptoms, or a suspect chest x-ray picked up purely by chance.”
In thePage: 1 2 Related medicine news :1
. Long-Term Survival can be Predicted by a Simple Lung Test2
. Simple Therapy3
. Simple Stroke Prevention is Best4
. Few Simple Steps to Lower The Incidence Of SIDS5
. A Simple Blood Test Can Predict Gum Disease6
. A Simple Exercise Can Uncover Undiagnosed Asthma7
. Simple Exercises Might Help Vertigo8
. Simple Steps To Help Fight Asthma9
. Simple Urine Test Can Help To Monitor Disfiguring Birthmarks
. Revolutionary Simple Pregnancy Blood Test Can Save Both Mother And Child 11
. Simple Procedural Improvements Can Improve Care Of Stroke Patients