A simple urine test could detect lung cancer early. All you need to know – Times of India
Lung Cancer tests are now said to become easy with just a urine test!
Lung cancer is one of the globally leading cancer-related deaths and it accounts for about 85% of cases. While early symptoms of Lung Cancer start with a persistent cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain, now scientists have created the world’s first urine test that could indicate the possibilities of lung cancer.
Human trial
This early detection test was brought in to make sure that patients get treatment sooner and this new early detector test was used to check cell proteins which indicates lung cancer in its earliest stages.
The test was found by the Scientists at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and the Early Cancer institute and it has been successfully tested on mice and the research and study of humans are set to begin soon. Following the human trial, the test is said to be put in trials soon for preclinical stages.
Professor Ljilijana Fruk, who is part of the expert team, said that as cancer emerges from affected tissues, the changes that release signals to denote tissue damage will help in reprogramming the tissue and make it perfect. In an official statement released, Professor Fruk noted, “We identified a specific protein released by these cells in lung tissue and designed a probe that is cut into two pieces in its presence. The probe is composed of two parts and the smaller one is released into urine through the kidneys. Once in urine, this part of the probe is too small to be detected, but it can be made visible by adding a bit of silver solution to it.”
She also mentioned that monitoring the color of urine after injection can indicate early signs of lung cancer or pathological changes that might lead to cancer.
Cost cutting test
Funded by Cancer Research UK, this urine test is said to be a cheaper alternative to expensive scans and this method will not just prove to be cost effective,but also easy to use and timely for early detection of cancer, particularly within high risk groups or those in danger of cancer recurrence.
