2023-06-19 07:32:00
Research and experiments continue their progressive path in the world of cancerous oncology, and the latest of these achievements is an easy and simple examination that can identify people most at risk of developing digestive cancers. The importance of this technique is that it helps to enhance the early detection of cancers that are difficult to detect in the early stages due to the absence of symptoms.
Asala Lama, a doctor in molecular biology and cancer sciences, talks regarding “an important achievement that is the result of decades of research, and we know very well that in our battle with cancer we need early detection to increase the treatment options that can be offered to patients.”
“A British team had used a breathalyzer as a means to detect some types of cancer, while we used to resort to taking samples from patients during endoscopy, which is a complex operation that requires hospitalization.”
Lama’ explains, “The researchers compared the results obtained during the traditional endoscopy examination with the respiratory examinations, and showed that 90 percent of the people whose endoscopy showed cancer were identical to the results of the respiratory examinations.
But the question arises, can these respiratory tests alone be performed with the aim of identifying some types of cancer? “This examination can identify groups of patients who are at greater risk of developing digestive cancers, and thus will reduce the number of people who will be required to undergo endoscopy examinations,” Lama’ asserts.
Accordingly, Lama’ stresses that “the goal is not to completely dispense with endoscopy examinations, but rather to reduce pressure on the health system because it is not possible to perform endoscopy for all people, regardless of their risk of cancer. Therefore, this examination allows identifying people who are more vulnerable to infection than others.” With some types of cancer, and most importantly early detection, which is a key factor in providing more treatment options and increasing cure rates, especially in cancer types whose symptoms do not appear until in the advanced stages.”
She explains, “All cells produce gases to carry out their functions in the body, but in the case of cancer, these gases differ. After comparing and observing them in people with cancer, we have a pattern that we think is able to indicate cancer. Therefore, we are working on conducting these tests on 250,000 patients.” Which will enable us to see if the pattern identified by the researchers is able to detect cancer in its early stages.”
After 15 years of research, Lamaa believes that “we have entered the final stage of clinical trials, and following passing this stage, which may require between one or two years, and then we may wait regarding five years to obtain approval. Therefore, this technology will not be available before five years.” Or seven years.
And if this technology proves effective in detecting gastrointestinal cancers, then it can be expanded and developed to include other cancers. Note that experiments began on digestive cancers because most of them cannot be detected in their early stages. For example, there are not many options for pancreatic cancer because it is often discovered in advanced stages of the disease. So, the aim of this technology is to enhance the early detection of cancers that are usually discovered in advanced stages.
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