Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death responsible for about 1.3 million deaths every year. Effective methods of early detection are needed, as there are often no symptoms in the early stages, meaning the disease could be advanced before it is discovered. New animal research at the Monell Chemical Senses Center indications that body fluid odors may offers a clues that could lead to early diagnosis.
Cancer tumors result in a change in body-related odors that can be detected both by trained animal sensors and by sophisticated chemical techniques,. These findings indicate that odor sensing has the potential to improve early diagnostic and prognostic approaches to lung cancer treatment,' according to a press statement by Monell biologist Gary K. Beauchamp, Ph.D., a senior author on the study.
The new research could lead the way for medical researchers to find a way to identify potential lung cancer though a urine test, used as a diagnostic tool. If the urine tests are found to be an effective diagnostic tool, they could be as effective diagnostic tool for people at high is of lung cancer, particular smokers.
According to the National Institute of Health, cigarette smoking causes the most cases of lung cancer. Higher risk is associated with heavy smoking and starting to smoke at a young age.
Lung cancer ofter has no symptoms in the early stages, but symptoms start to appear as the condition progresses. Common symptoms of lung cancer include: a persistent cough, constant chest pain, coughing p blood, shortness of breath, wheezing o hoarseness, repeated problems with pneumonia or bronchitis, swelling of the face and neck, loss of appetite, weight loss and fatigue.
The research for urine testing to detect cancer is ongoing. If the test is found to be effective in humans, it could be used as a diagnostic tool to find cancer at its early stages, when it is most curable.
Resouces
National Institute of Health
EurekAlert: Sniffing out Cancer in Early Stages; Monell Chemical Senses Center
Written by Christine Nyholm
Huliq.com
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