A groundbreaking test has been developed by scientists at Aston University, which has the potential to detect prostate cancer in just 15 minutes. This non-invasive test uses dried blood samples and can diagnose the disease before symptoms appear with up to 90% accuracy. The standard blood test currently in use, measuring prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, is not always accurate, leading to uncomfortable and invasive further tests for diagnosis.
The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, involved analysing 108 dry blood smear samples from both healthy individuals and those with prostate cancer. By studying protein structures in the blood samples, the scientists were able to identify key differences between healthy and cancerous samples using a technique called polarisation-based image reconstruction.
Professor Igor Meglinski, from Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, stated that the entire process, including drying time, takes up to 15 minutes. The test showed a 90% accuracy rate in diagnosing early-stage prostate cancer, surpassing existing screening methods. This advancement could significantly improve outcomes and survival rates for patients, as early detection is crucial in cancer treatment.
The new test offers a less traumatic and risky alternative to invasive biopsies, making it a promising development in cancer diagnosis. However, larger clinical trials are required to validate the technique’s effectiveness. Dr. Matthew Hobbs from Prostate Cancer UK emphasised the importance of finding better tests for the disease, highlighting the need for further research to confirm the test’s efficacy.
The potential of this breakthrough test lies in its ability to detect prostate cancer early, providing a more accurate and efficient diagnostic method. The researchers hope that this innovation will revolutionise cancer diagnosis and monitoring, ultimately leading to improved outcomes for patients.