A new technology developed by scientists could help predict stomach cancer using a simple breath test. It will work by picking up ‘breath prints’ i.e. by sensing compounds in exhaled breath as a screening tool. In addition to detecting existing cases of cancer, it will also monitor those who run the risk of developing it later.
As a part of testing how effective the results are, researchers at Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute in Israel analyzed the breath samples of 500 people, 99 of whom were actually stomach cancer patients. Distinguishing cancerous patients from non cancerous ones was done accurately though these were some cases of misdiagnosis in screening pre-cancerous patients.
GCMS , another type of technology called which was previously considered for screening stomach cancer screening is much more expensive as compared to this besides requiring lengthy processing and significant expertise to conduct the test, noted the researchers. The newer technique promises higher accuracy at a fraction of the cost while making use of a much cheaper and simpler process, they added.
“The attraction of this test lies in its non-invasiveness, ease of use, rapid predictiveness, and potentially low cost,” said author Professor Hossam Haick, Department of Chemical Engineering and Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Haifa, Israel.
Haick added that the test can also help in timely identification of stomach cancer recurrence following initially successful therapy.
“Our future vision suggests the breath test as a follow-up tool for surveillance of high-risk patients. The breath test could be used for monitoring, to identify those progressing to cancer or more advanced lesions,” he said.
Most cases of stomach cancer are diagnosed at a very late stage because its symptoms like pain and indigestion are, more often than not, attributed to other diseases. Though a larger study needs to be conducted to confirm the veracity of the results, the test, if accurate, could revolutionize stomach cancer diagnosis.
This information was first shared Monday in the BMJ journal Gut.
