Cancer News
New urine test is able to detect head and neck cancers
Advanced technique promises an easy way to improve diagnosis
US scientists have developed a urine-based test that can identify
DNA traces released by head and neck tumours , an approach that could help diagnose malignancies for which there is no reliable screening method .
Researchers from the University of Michigan Health Rogel Cancer Center demonstrated that DNA fragments are usually too small to be picked up by standard urine and blood tests . To solve the problem , they created a test that is able to detect these tiny bits of genetic material associated with head and neck tumours .
The study participants collected a urine sample at home and then mailed it to the researchers who were able to gather data to make clinical predictions .
“ One of the most remarkable outcomes of this study is that the test that has been developed has detected cancer recurrences far earlier than would typically happen based on clinical imaging . As such , these promising results have given us the confidence to broaden the scope of the study , seeking to expanding distribution even further ,” Dr J . Chad Brenner , co-senior author of the study and associate professor of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at the University of Michigan , said in a press release .
The researchers also showed that the new urine test could detect DNA fragments from breast cancer and acute myeloid leukaemia , a type of blood cancer , making it a potential diagnostic option that is easy to implement for a variety of malignancies .
“ These types of tests are likely to have a much higher compliance in patients requiring follow-up testing post treatment , due to the convenience of self-collection of samples , when compared to bloodbased assays ,” �r Chandan Bhambhani , the study ’ s co-first author and a research specialist , said in the press release .
At-home blood test device could reduce hospital visits for cancer
Tests would be less stressful for patients while raising hospital efficiency
UK authorities have approved a new device that allows patients with cancer to take a blood test at home , reducing the time they have to spend in hospitals and thus relieving stress , the BBC reported .
Patients with cancer have to undergo repeated blood tests to monitor their health , a practice that can be tiring and even dreadful for some , especially those who fear needles .
“ By the time I would go into the blood room to the chair , I would probably faint , and that has a knock-on effect - it made me feel really poorly all day ,” Lynn Thompson , one of the patients in the trial to test the new device , told the BBC . “ The machine took all that away , it ’ s a simple finger prick that doesn ’ t hurt . It ’ s a small amount of blood and then it ’ s hidden away – there ’ s no stress or anxiety .”
The device is called Liberty and allows patients to send doctors their test results without supervision . After being tested at Christie , in Manchester , Liberty will be used in 12 UK National Health System ( NHS ) facilities .
Beyond making life easier for patients , experts believe this practice could also make health systems more efficient . However , because the number of patients involved in the trial was low , more research will be needed to determine whether the new device can come into widespread use .
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