Breathalyzer to Detect Lung Cancer
It is really amazing what advances we are making in science. I read the other day that some scientists came up with a device used for early detection of lung cancer. It seems that individuals with lung cancer excrete certain molecules in their breath that healthy individuals do not. Detect these molecules and you got lung cancer.
Early Detection of Lung CancerI feel this deserves more attention than the news organizations are giving. This is HUGE. Early detection is the key to survival during a battle with lung cancer. Chances are, each person reading this has known someone who has died from lung cancer. It seems that molecule detection is too easy to get notoriety. I wonder if the early detection of lung cancer involved stem cells in some way would it would get more media attention.
I would like to note that scientists have isolated these identifying molecules with many forms of cancer. They have also linked the presence of cancer to mutations of a particular piece of our DNA. These molecules and bits of DNA are referred to as tumor markers. Although it can be pricy ($699-$899) you can visit your local “Any Lab Test Now®” and get an entire tumor marker panel.
The female version includes a breast tumor screen. This test looks for a snippet of DNA that has been linked to breast cancer. Having this marker does not mean you have breast cancer. All it means is that having this snippet of DNA puts you in the high risk category. This can be analogous to fair skinned people having an increased risk of skin cancer.
You may ask yourself why get a test that isn’t definitive. The reason is early detection of cancer. If you have fair skin you will probably make more frequent visits to a dermatologist. This is similar. Knowing your DNA gives you an increased chance of getting breast cancer would encourage you to get checked more frequently and thereby creating the opportunity for early detection of breast cancer.
One of the tumor markers for men is our PSA. There having many medical studies that suggest a high value on a PSA test greatly increases your chance of prostate cancer. It only costs $49 if taken by itself at an Any Lab Test Now® location and monitoring your PSA can save your life.
The fact that this early detection breathalyzer isn’t getting as much media follows in line with most individuals thought process. People tend to stick their head in the sand and think it won’t happen to them. Their lives are a constant rollercoaster and they are concerned more about their current hill and would rather handle the big loop coming up when they have no other choice. Sadly, this mentality is a death sentence with cancer.
If you have a family history of cancer or illness it is your responsibility to monitor your health. You owe it to your family and friends.
