New tool to detect Cancer

[dropkickpa]

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/119472.php

University Of Oklahoma Researchers Developing New Tool To Detect Cancer

Early cancer detection can significantly improve survival rates. Current diagnostic tests often fail to detect cancer in the earliest stages and at the same time expose a patient to the harmful effects of radiation. Led by Dr. Patrick McCann, a small group of internationally known researchers at the University of Oklahoma with expertise in the development of mid-infrared lasers is working to create a sensor to detect biomarker gases exhaled in the breath of a person with cancer.

Proof-of-concept detection of a suspected lung cancer biomarker in exhaled breath has already been established as reported by the Oklahoma group in the July 2007 issue of Applied Optics. The research was inspired by studies showing that dogs can detect cancer by sniffing the exhaled breath of cancer patients. For example, by smelling breath samples, dogs identified breast and lung cancer patients with accuracies of 88 and 97 percent, respectively, as reported in the March 2006 issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies. The evidence is clear - gas phase molecules are uniquely associated with cancer.

Intrigued by the concept of using breath analysis to detect cancer, McCann saw an opportunity to use mid-infrared laser technology to help elucidate the relationship between specific gas phase biomarker molecules and cancer. He believes it is possible to develop easy-to-use detection devices for cancer, particularly for hard-to-detect cancers like lung cancer. McCann says we need sensors that detect these gas phase cancer biomarkers. "A device that measures cancer specific gases in exhaled breath would change medical research, as we know it."

McCann says the science and technology exist to support the development of a new tool to detect cancer, but the research will take from five to 10 years to get low-cost devices into the clinic. OU may have the strongest contingent of researchers dedicated to providing a solution to the problem using this approach. Even though studies confirm that dogs can detect cancer by smelling the gases, they can't tell us what gases they smell. It's up to the medical research community using the best measurement tools to figure that out.

More cool stuff on biomarkers and cancer detection, this time using lasers!

[beam me up scottie]

1. "The science supports it, and the dogs tell us there is something there."

Recommended!

[dropkickpa]

2. This is a pretty exciting new phase in detection

Normally, detection has been through invasive methods (biopsy) or expensive and time consuming (pet scan, etc). Easier alternative methods of detection can lead to earlier detection, which is invaluable in fighting cancer. It's a growing field, and I'm hoping a lot comes out of it.

[beam me up scottie]

3. I remember the first time I watched the documentary about the poodle who could "smell" cancer.

Totally blew me away.

Do you think hypochondriacs will start using FiFi to diagnose their ailments? :D

[dropkickpa]

4. *snort*

I can only imagine "Mrs. Dinglefurry says I have cancer!"

[semillama]

5. Lasers - is there anything they can't do? n/t

[Orrex]

7. They can't get you high

(See other thread)

:evilgrin:

[dropkickpa]

8. But you can get drunk!!!

[Orrex]

9. Now that's what I call amplification by stimulation of emitted...

Wait... what were we talking about?

[xchrom]

6. recommend

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

10. Fascinating!

I have heard about using dogs to detect skin cancers hadn't heard about this stuff on lung cancer.

David