Simple Breath Test Detects Stomach Cancer
Science continues to amaze and baffle us and find less intrusive ways to identify cancer and other diseases. These simple tests can save lives, surgeries, and diagnostic explorations.
A simple breath test using a technology called nanoarray analysis can detect stomach cancer. As recently described in the journal "Gut", a diverse international group of scientists who conducted the studies suggests that the nanoarray analysis not only can detect stomach cancer, but also accurately identify individuals who are at a high risk of developing the disease. This would help identify those who may be at risk before the disease ever develops or becomes symptomatic.
Researchers indicate that the data suggest that gastric cancer develops in well-defined ways; however, there are currently no effective or reliable steps to find the progression of the disease. Moreover, no non-invasive screening techniques for the detection of stomach cancer exist. That problem may now be solved but time will be the true judge.
"The attraction of this test lies in its non-invasiveness, ease of use, rapid predictiveness, and potentially low cost," says author Professor Hossam Haick, Department of Chemical Engineering and Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Haifa, Israel.
The attorneys at Wallace & Graham continue to study the latest research, technology and modalities of treatment so that they remain knowledgeable in order to help their clients stricken with cancer.
The latest study involved 484 individuals who gave breath tests after 12 hours of abstention from smoking for a minimum of three hours. About 100 participants were already diagnosed with gastric cancer; however, they were not treated with radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Stopping smoking immediately is always an action that reduces risk of numerous types of cancers.
All the participants revealed their true drinking and accurate smoking habits. The participants were also tested for Helicobacter pylori infection, which is a known risk issue related to stomach cancer. The scientists are required to have a reliable group of participants to accurately make their findings.
The researchers’ first analyzed breath samples of the participants with the help of a technique called GCMS, which measures several instable organic compounds in an individual's exhaled breath. Then the researchers conducted another breath test with nanoarray analysis that was combined with pattern recognition. It is a farily objective test.
The results of GCMS reflected that patients without the disease and the ones with stomach cancer had unique "breath prints." It is amazing to realize how the body works and what it does when stricken with illness. It is like looking at ones fingerprints. Unique to each other yet has common structure and other measurable factors.
GCMS identified 130 organic compounds in the exhaled breath of individuals; however, the intensity of 8 organic compounds differed significantly in participants who had suffered stomach cancer compared to those who were at risk of the cancer. This was the “eureka!” moment in this study.
The nanoarray analysis accurately distinguished between different pre-cancerous phases, marking out patients who were at a high or low risk of getting gastric cancer. Nanoarray is defined as an array of Nanosized objects; especially one of nanosized spots that have unusual optical characteristics. This means they are able to monitor and analyze the characteristics of your breath.
The study suggests that the capability of nanoarray analysis to accurately identify individuals at high or low risk will avoid unnecessary endoscopies. Doctors will also be able to monitor progression of the disease with the help of the breath analysis.
Stomach cancer is not very common but routinely it is confused with other gastric problems. The disease, if undetected and if left until it develops into its later stages the survival factor of the patient is greatly reduced. A simple breath analysis will help thousands of people get screened for stomach cancer at early stages. The future is here now.
The attorneys at Wallace & Graham are dedicated to helping inform its clients and the public of the latest and greatest developments in the field of cancer. Feel free to call anytime for a free confidential meeting to discuss your situation or concerns.
Sources: The study has been published in the journal "Gut". It also was written about in Tech Times on April 14, 2014.
