‘Breakthrough’ in lung cancer diagnosis!

A new method, which could be considered as a breakthrough in lung cancer diagnosis, is developed by a team of French researchers. Scientists have developed a blood test that could detect lung cancer at an early stage and this test could prove to be a valuable tool in saving thousands of lung cancer patients. Cancer cells produce a few proteins in larger quantities than the normal cells. Scientists believe that by identifying the presence of these proteins produced by cancer cells in blood, it is possible to detect cancer even before visible symptoms arise. This test will enable health professionals to easily differentiate lung cancer from other lung diseases and help them to start treating the disease at its early stage, ultimately increasing the patient’s chances of survival.

Proper diagnosis is very important in the fight against cancer and early detection of cancer could help doctors in effectively treating the disease. Cancers detected at its early stages are easily curable. The maximum survival period of patients who are suffering from lung cancer, the most lethal form of all cancers, is only 5 years. Only 16% of patients live more than five years and this low survival rate of lung cancer is attributed to the inability to diagnose the disease at its early stage. Active and passive smoking is considered to be the main cause of this disease. People who are over 50 are considered to be more prone to this disease.

Scientists believe if this new development in cancer diagnosis is successfully tested then it could make a big difference in lung cancer detection and its treatment.


Source - The Herald - Web issue

New Zealand researchers discover a new drug to fight lung cancer

Lung cancer, the most lethal forms of all cancer, which causes nearly 3 million deaths every year worldwide, can be controlled with a new experimental drug discovered in New Zealand, which could increase the lifespan of lung cancer patients’ significantly. The drug was discovered by researchers in New Zealand and developed by Antisoma a U.K based biotechnology company with support from Cancer Research UK.

Smoking, asbestos and radon gas are the major contributors of lung Cancer in humans. A recent study revealed that people living in areas close to heavy industries are at a higher risk to this. This new drug belongs to a class of compounds called vascular disrupting agents, which selectively destroy blood vessels that help in the growth of tumors.

Although this drug is not a cure for the disease, its discovery can considered as a step that takes us closer to finding a solution to lung cancer.

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