Maximilien Carlier, edited by Alexandre Dalifard
modified to
11:50 a.m., December 18, 2022
A European consortium made up of French and Belgian researchers has developed an “electronic nose” to detect lung cancer using breath. The objective is to detect bronchopulmonary cancers early to increase the life expectancy of patients. In France, there are 30,000 deaths from lung cancer each year.
Tell me what you breathe, I’ll tell you what you got. Imagine an “electronic nose” to detect the lung cancer through breath. This was revealed by a European consortium made up of French and Belgian researchers, the Pathacov program. Objective: early detection of bronchopulmonary cancers in order to increase the life expectancy of patients. This “nose” is a blue breathing mask connected to a bag. “First, we will collect in a bag, the patient’s exhaled air which contains volatile organic compounds”, explains Professor Regis Matran, pulmonologist and scientific manager of this project.
Green, orange or red
These markers are simply odors. The patient’s breath is therefore analyzed using sensors. A button then lights up as explained by Regis Matran. “Red, you have a risk of having early brocho-pulmonary cancer. Green, little risk. Orange, we will have to discuss. Support or not. See it more regularly”, underlines the pulmonologist.
A gain in life expectancy
This electronic nose prototype is less invasive than a chest examination, for example. “The idea is to have a simple practical tool in city medical offices so that the doctor can explain the screening to the subject at risk”, indicates Arnaud Sherpereel, head of the cardiovascular center at the Lille University Hospital. And thus increase the life expectancy of patients. Because diagnosed at an advanced stage, the prospects for survival are 17% in 5 years. This rises to 80% in case of early detection.
In France, each year, there are 30,000 deaths from lung cancer.
