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Early detection improves chances of survival in lung cancer patients. So any form of detection that can amplify a sign of lung cancer can lead to earlier treatment and better success of eradication.
British scientists are developing a "breathalyzer" which may revolutionize the detection of lung cancer in its early stages. The device works by detecting ethane, which is released by cancerous cells in the lungs and is sensitive to one part per billion. The technology for this early detection device was developed for oil prospecting.
Dr Kenneth Skeldon, of the University of Glasgow, said "Early detection and monitoring of cancer and other serious diseases hugely improves the effectiveness of treatment and the possibility of cure. People can produce a higher trace of ethane in their breath when cancer strikes."
Lung cancer has very low survival rates, making early detection of any sign of lung cancer big news. Only about 5% of people who get lung cancer live for more than five years after it is diagnosed. The main reason lung cancer has such a low survival rate is that it has been so difficult to detect in early stages.
What are the causes of Lung Cancer?
As much as 80% of lung cancer occurs in active or ex-smokers and an additional 5% of cases are estimated to occur because of passive exposure to tobacco smoke. Exposure to asbestos or radon are also risk factors, through not as commo [1] [2] [3] 下一页 |