A device that detects cancer through breathing begins to be marketed

A new device able to diagnose lung cancer by breathing should begin shipping soon.

The system, developed by Israeli researchers, presents an efficiency of 95% and will be available in the market through a partnership between the Institute of Technology Technion-Israel and North American manufacturer Alpha Szenszor Inc. Information is the site ISRAEL21c.

Known as "Na-Nose", the device has been manufactured since 2007 and has proven its effectiveness in international clinical trials, showing ability to differentiate between various types and classifications of cancer.

Patients breathe into a tube, the Na-Nose analyzes more than 1 000 different gases that are contained in breath to identify those that might indicate that something is wrong. It works by binding the gases nano-specific materials, a technique known as detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

The discovery is important because there is currently no commercially available way of screening for lung cancer. Imaging technologies are expensive and heavy ordered only when a patient complains of symptoms, usually when it's too late, or to a small group of high-risk individuals, particularly long-term smokers.

Of patients diagnosed with lung cancer cases, 85% have a life span of up to five years. Na-Nose allow early diagnosis of the disease, providing more treatment opportunities for patients and survivors.

The first units of the device should be marketed only for large hospitals and clinics, for an approximate value of $ 10 000 each. And despite being cheaper than the diagnostic imaging equipment, the developers hope that in the future, the device can be built into smartphones and tablets and distributed on a much larger scale.

Although the initial focus is lung cancer, the potential benefits go far beyond. The team leader Hossam Haick says they are testing the system to diagnose other types of diseases, such as Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis, and other cancers, such as prostate and breast and, so far, the results showed an accuracy index similar to the diagnosis of lung cancer.

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