Key notes:
- Cancer detecting chewing gum to replace blood tests, a new product absorbs compounds released by tumors into the saliva.
- A biotech company has created a chewing gum that detects cancer
- Volatile organic compounds, unique to each type of cancer, are produced in the body
- The gum traps the compounds, which will then be analyzed for different cancers
- It could mean the end of blood tests, urine samples and biopsies
The refreshing chewing gum could save your life. A Biotech company has developed a gum that could determine whether you have cancer. The gums absorb volatiles in a person saliva as they chew it- chemical compounds are released by certain forms of cancer. After chewed for 15minutes, the product is then analyzed to determine it contains these specific chemicals.
So far, scientists at the Alabama-based firm Volatile Analysis have developed different types of gum can detect pancreatic cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer. Researchers tell Daily Mail Online that, if successful, it could mean the end of blood tests, urine samples and biopsies.
The gum concentrates the volatiles and each disease has different chemicals that come out through your breath. Bazemore explained that gum remains in your mouth over an extended period and is durable enough to withstand testing.
Patients must chew the gum for 15 minutes and now different types of gums can detect pancreatic, lung and breast cancer. Bazemore is hopeful that they will soon have a singular product that will detect 3 or 4 different cancers and diseases.
Widespread cancer:
According to the National Cancer Institute, there were an estimated 1.5 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2016 in the US. And while Americans’ survival rates are increasing for the most common forms of cancer, early detection is still critical for healthcare providers.
‘Over the last 15 years there have been a lot of attempts with different products and processes for early detection of cancer,’ Dr Leonard Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, told Fox News.
Forthcoming researches:
Scientists have looked at breath samples, urine samples and even dogs that might be able to smell cancer.
This month, researchers at Indiana University released a report stating that they had created a urine test devised to mimic the ability of dogs to diagnose prostate cancer with their noses.
Labradors and spaniels can be trained to sniff out 97 percent of cases. They sit up straight if a patient has the deadly disease and walk away if they are clear.
Their machine records the molecules that a dog’s delicate nose picks up in a urine sample, 90 percent of which are present in men with prostate cancer.
Drawbacks:
As quoted by Dr. Lichentenfeld, none of those tests are proven to detect cancer early. The gum is still in its nascent testing stage and could be very early to determine how well it will work. However, the company hopes to make the gum available to doctors and patients sometime next year and it will also be able to detect different diseases such as tuberculosis.
They are currently working on the flavors of the gum. Volatiles are also responsible for flavor and aroma and it also means more compound interactions.