Posted on 08/31/2009 10:10:29 AM PDT by Schnucki
Patients with suspected lung cancer could in future be breathalysed to check if they have the disease.
Scientists have developed a sensor that can quickly detect lung cancer molecules on the breath.
They believe the technology could lead to cheap, portable breath-test devices with the potential to save large numbers of lives by spotting cancer early.
The lung cancer biomarkers were found by comparing breath samples from 40 diagnosed patients and 56 healthy individuals.
From the results, the researchers identified 42 "volatile organic compounds" (VOCs) present in the breath of 83% of cancer patients but fewer than 83% of healthy volunteers.
Four of the most reliable were used to develop a nine-sensor array made from tiny gold particles coated with reactive chemicals sensitive to the compounds.
Exposed to the VOCs, the sensors generated an electrical signal that produced a distinctive trace pattern.
In tests the device easily distinguished simulated "healthy" and "cancerous" breath made from artificial compound mixtures.
The Israeli scientists led by Dr Hossam Haick, from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, outline the research in the journal Nature Nanotechnology.
They wrote: "Our results show great promise for fast, easy and cost-effective diagnosis and screening of lung cancer."
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
They’re very thorough.
I don't even want to THINK about the prostate cancer detector!!!
LOL... I think that would work.
They just removed 10 polyps from mine 3 days ago. This was my first, uh, .... date .... I didn’t like it one bit. ;>)
Maybe because only 7% of cigarette smokers get lung cancer.
Everyone hates them. The fentanyl made me a trifle drunk, and I began to think it was funny. When I started singing "Sentimental Journey" the doctor and staff started laughing so hard he stopped for a minute.
"It's a journey people have been telling me to take for years!"
Maybe because only 7% of cigarette smokers get lung cancer.
Also because many of us quit years and years ago but are not "safe".
That’s just hilarious.
3.5% of those who have never smoked aren’t safe either.
The crotch sniffing dog might work for the prostate.
See post #29.
Where did you find that number? I’m coming up with more like .8 to 1.1%
85% of lung cancer deaths are smokers or former smokers. Fifteen percent never-smokers.
I found my numbers in American Heart and Lung Association literature about 15+ years ago. I have found that it is very hard to find any statistics on lung cancer deaths now. Where did you get your figures?
Thought you might find this interesting, neverdem.
I consider this a great idea if it proves reliable.
There are also dogs who’ve naturally detected skin cancer in their owners. Based on those anecdotes, the Brits (I think it was them) have studied dogs as a diagnostic tool for skin cancers.
thanks, bfl
Good find, thanks. Non-invasive is great!
I googled it at work and now I can’t find the same site. I had all sorts of graphs and tables.
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