New device could be used to identify lung cancer in breath samples

Researchers in the USA have developed a new device to test the breath samples of people for lung cancer.

Recent research has found that breath tests could be an effective way to diagnose lung cancer. The new tool, which was presented at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery’s 2014 Annual Meeting, could be used to carry out this diagnostic test and complement existing screening methods.

The researchers tried out their device on the breath samples of a range of people, including those with lung cancer, those with non-cancerous lung disease, those with lung cancer that has spread to other parts of the body, and people without a lung condition.

Results showed that the breath test not only offers similar levels of sensitivity to current scanning methods, but that it is almost twice as effective at telling the difference between non-cancerous disease and early stage lung cancer.

The researchers behind the test say that it could be used to confirm initial lung cancer diagnoses, but that it won’t be available for several years.

Read the original news article

American Association for Thoracic Surgery Annual Meeting