Stomach cancer is much more common in other parts of the world, particularly in less developed countries. It is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. The National Cancer Institute reports that by 2015, there are 24,590 new cases that will be diagnosed and 10,720 death estimates. Now, a new study suggests that a simple breath test could potentially give clues on the health of the gut and stomach specifically cancers that could potentially save thousands of lives through early detection and initiation of treatment.
A new trial of tests, which aim to measure the level of compounds in the breath can detect stomach cancer risk and can potentially save lives due to early diagnosis of disease. One of the predicaments when it comes to cancer detection is that most cancers do not portray or show manifestations at their early stages. Hence, when they are detected, it is either too late or it is progressing to more aggressive forms.
Now, cancer of the stomach could be detected using a simple breath test devised by researchers from the Israel Institute of Technology and the University of Latvia. It is easier and more cost-effective than undergoing more invasive procedures like endoscopy. BBC News reports that the researchers studied breath samples from 145 patients and 30 of them were already diagnosed with stomach cancer.
The rest of the participants have accompanying symptoms. According to the Independent, the findings, which were published in the medical journal Gut, the study was 92% correct at picking the specific 'breath-print' of patients with cancer.
They found out that eight organic compounds exhaled by the participants differed between the two groups. They showed that those with cancer and those without cancer had different breath prints.
Dr. Emma Smith of Cancer Research UK, told BBC News, "Diagnosing cancer in its early stages offers patients the best chance of successful treatment, so research like this has potential to help save lives."
"But we would need to be sure the test is sensitive and accurate enough to be used more widely," she added.