Lasers could give early warning of cancer

[Al-khiyal]

December 7, 2007 -- A pioneering technique using lasers could help to detect cancer early, researchers said yesterday.

Scientists at the University of St Andrews have developed technology which uses light to reveal abnormalities in cells, giving early warning of the disease.

They have already used the approach to identify cancer in cervical cells. The researchers say it could simplify the process of identifying the disease, which is the second most common cancer in women under 35, according to Cancer Research UK. The method, which involves shining a light beam on to a sample of cells to reveal any abnormalities, could also be used to detect other types of cancer, such as those of the lung and bladder.

Professor Kishan Dholakia, of the school of physics and astronomy, who developed the apparatus used in the process, said the technique would allow cancer to be detected at an earlier stage than at present but would "act as a complementary technique to standard pathology."

Scientists hope the technique could be introduced into hospitals in five to 10 years. They also hope to use the technique to detect lung cancer from swabs of phlegm and bladder cancer from urine samples. The research is published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Lasers could give early warning of cancer

[amalgamate]

(free) Radical!





(That was supposed to be a bio-joke. )