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Is a breath test key to detecting cancer? | Is a breath test key to detecting cancer? |
(35 minutes later) | |
A clinical trial has been launched to see if a breath test could detect the presence of cancer. | A clinical trial has been launched to see if a breath test could detect the presence of cancer. |
Researchers want to find out if signals of different cancer types can be picked up in patterns of breath molecules. | Researchers want to find out if signals of different cancer types can be picked up in patterns of breath molecules. |
The Cancer Research UK team in Cambridge will collect breath samples from 1,500 people, some with cancer. | The Cancer Research UK team in Cambridge will collect breath samples from 1,500 people, some with cancer. |
If the technology is proven, the hope is that breath tests could be used in GP practices to decide if patients need to be referred for more tests. | If the technology is proven, the hope is that breath tests could be used in GP practices to decide if patients need to be referred for more tests. |
They could potentially be used alongside blood and urine tests to help doctors detect cancer at an early stage, the researchers said. | They could potentially be used alongside blood and urine tests to help doctors detect cancer at an early stage, the researchers said. |
But it will be two years before the results of the exploratory trial are known. | But it will be two years before the results of the exploratory trial are known. |
GPs' leaders said the research was exciting but they warned patients that breath tests to detect cancer were "unlikely to be commonplace at their GP practice anytime soon". | |
How does the test work? | How does the test work? |
Molecules called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released when cells in the body carry out biochemical reactions as part of their behaviour. | Molecules called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released when cells in the body carry out biochemical reactions as part of their behaviour. |
But if cancer or other conditions are present, the normal behaviour of cells is altered and they appear to produce a different pattern of molecules - and a different signature smell. | But if cancer or other conditions are present, the normal behaviour of cells is altered and they appear to produce a different pattern of molecules - and a different signature smell. |
The research team is trying to find out if this pattern or odour can be identified in people's breath, using breath biopsy technology. | The research team is trying to find out if this pattern or odour can be identified in people's breath, using breath biopsy technology. |
Their ultimate aim is to work out if different types of cancer produce different patterns - or signatures - which can be detected at an early stage. | Their ultimate aim is to work out if different types of cancer produce different patterns - or signatures - which can be detected at an early stage. |
What's the potential for the test? | What's the potential for the test? |
This is the start of the trial so we won't know for several years whether or not the initial results are promising. | This is the start of the trial so we won't know for several years whether or not the initial results are promising. |
The science behind the test itself is not new. | The science behind the test itself is not new. |
Many researchers around the world have been working on the possibility of breath tests for a number of cancers, including lung, for a number of years. | Many researchers around the world have been working on the possibility of breath tests for a number of cancers, including lung, for a number of years. |
There are some promising signs that breath tests could detect pre-cancerous symptoms, but it is not yet clear how accurate they are. | There are some promising signs that breath tests could detect pre-cancerous symptoms, but it is not yet clear how accurate they are. |
Any breath test used on large numbers of patients would have to be sensitive and accurate to avoid misdiagnoses and false positives. | Any breath test used on large numbers of patients would have to be sensitive and accurate to avoid misdiagnoses and false positives. |
In short, there is a long way to go and much more research needed on more people before a breath test will be appearing in any GP surgeries. | |
It is possible that dogs could be also used to sniff out the odours given off by cancers, and other diseases like Parkinson's. | |
Who will take part in the trial? | Who will take part in the trial? |
The trial will start with patients with suspected oesophageal and stomach cancers and then widened to include people with prostate, kidney, bladder, liver and pancreatic cancers in the coming months. | The trial will start with patients with suspected oesophageal and stomach cancers and then widened to include people with prostate, kidney, bladder, liver and pancreatic cancers in the coming months. |
Healthy people will also be included in the trial. | Healthy people will also be included in the trial. |
At Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, participants will be asked to breathe into a face mask for 10 minutes so a sample can be collected. | At Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, participants will be asked to breathe into a face mask for 10 minutes so a sample can be collected. |
The samples will then be sent to a laboratory in Cambridge to be analysed. | The samples will then be sent to a laboratory in Cambridge to be analysed. |
'Best chance of surviving' | 'Best chance of surviving' |
Rebecca Coldrick, 54, was one of the first people to take part in the trial. She has a condition called Barrett's oesophagus and could go on to develop cancer. | Rebecca Coldrick, 54, was one of the first people to take part in the trial. She has a condition called Barrett's oesophagus and could go on to develop cancer. |
"I was very happy to take part in the trial and I want to help with research however I can," she said. | "I was very happy to take part in the trial and I want to help with research however I can," she said. |
"I think the more research done to monitor conditions like mine and the kinder the detection tests developed, the better." | "I think the more research done to monitor conditions like mine and the kinder the detection tests developed, the better." |
Prof Rebecca Fitzgerald, lead trial investigator at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, said: "We urgently need to develop new tools, like this breath test, which could help to detect and diagnose cancer earlier, giving patients the best chance of surviving their disease." | Prof Rebecca Fitzgerald, lead trial investigator at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre, said: "We urgently need to develop new tools, like this breath test, which could help to detect and diagnose cancer earlier, giving patients the best chance of surviving their disease." |
Dr David Crosby, head of early detection research at Cancer Research UK, said breath tests were a technology that had the potential "to revolutionise the way we detect and diagnose cancer in the future". | Dr David Crosby, head of early detection research at Cancer Research UK, said breath tests were a technology that had the potential "to revolutionise the way we detect and diagnose cancer in the future". |
Cancer Research UK has made research into this area one of its top priorities. | Cancer Research UK has made research into this area one of its top priorities. |
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