Early Detection For Lung Cancer

A recent in the US is offering hope for testing forsurvival rates, there are many who wonder why
lung cancer. US scientists have now developed anddogs are not trained to detect VOCs in the same
already tested a prototype breath test to detectmanner that dogs are trained to detect drugs and
lung cancer. This may enable doctors to detect lungother compounds.
cancer at earlier stages.The prototype of this device was developed by Dr
The results of the US study test was published inPeter Mazzone of the The Cleveland Clinic in Ohio in
the international journal of respiratory medicinecollaboration with the private company ChemSensing
Thorax.of Champaign, Illinois. The private company
In the tests, the colour testing device, which is thecustomizes Metalloporphyrins, a chemically reactive
size of a coin and is surprisingly inexpensive, had a 75dye family that are sensitive to VOCs.
per cent success rate in detecting people withThey are working to develop an inexpensive device.
different cancers.The only equipment available to the public are mass
However, the tests were not 100 per cent accurate.spectrometers or gas chromatographs. These are
The device showed false positives on people who didexpensive and require the services of an expert to
not have lung cancer. This reduces the device'sanalyse the results.
effectiveness removing doctor's ability to startThe new device resembles a 2 cm square key fob
immediate treatments.with a 6 by 6 pattern of coloured dots visible
The technique called a "colorimetric sensor array"through the plastic casing. Changes in the pattern of
picks up the chemical fingerprint of the breath ofthe dots indicate the presence of VOCs in the breath
people with lung cancer that are caused by thebased on the gas makeup of the breath.
tumours.Scientists tested 143 patients. Patients needed to
Cancers produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs)breathe into the device for 12 minutes. The test
that are different from normal cells. Tumours in thegroup was divided into three groups. Some patients
lungs are more likely to contain increased signs ofhad lung cancer at various stages, some had other
these abnormal compounds. This increases theforms of respiratory illnesses like emphysema. The
potential for the device to pick up a lung cancerrest were healthy.
"fingerprint" in the breath.The device spotted 73 per cent of the lung cancer
Surprisingly, dogs are able to detect VOCs andpatients and cleared 72 per cent of the non-lung
differentiate between people with lung cancer andcancer patients. This is not 100 per cent, but the
healthy people. With 'early response' a major factor inresults are acceptable.