New Test Sniffs Stomach Cancer from Breath, Can Detect Gut Problems Before Onset

A new test that can detect stomach cancer by analyzing breath is in the works and has already shown some promise in early trials.

According to BBC, the test is able to detect minute traces of certain chemicals associated with stomach cancer which are not present in healthy people. A trial involving 145 people showed that the test could accurately detect stomach cancer in 30 people in the trial whose cancer diagnosis was known. The remaining test subjects showed signs of pre-cancer that the test could detect. However it did also mistake pre-cancerous signs for cancer. Researchers say more work is needed on the tool before it can become clinically efficient.

The breath analyzer test that researchers being developed in UK was inspired by earlier work which involved nano-sensors to detect chemicals and relay the information digitally through a smartphone for further analysis and disease diagnosis.

"The SNIFFPHONE is a winning solution. It will be made tinier and cheaper than disease detection solutions currently, consume little power, and most importantly, it will enable immediate and early diagnosis that is both accurate and non-invasive. Early diagnosis can save lives, particularly in life-threatening diseases such as cancer," said Prof. Hossan Haick at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology, earlier this year.

Stomach cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer as most cases are detected at advanced stages of the disease given that early symptoms are often confused with less serious problems.