By using a handheld device and a tiny amount of saliva it is possible to successfully screen for breast cancer, new research published today has revealed.
The new breast cancer screening device, developed by researchers from the University of Florida and National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in Taiwan, is cheap and portable – ideal for use in developing countries and remote locations.
“In many places, especially in developing countries, advanced technologies like MRI for breast cancer testing may not be readily available,” said research author, Hsiao-Hsuan Wan. “Our technology is more cost-effective, with the test strip costing just a few cents and the reusable circuit board priced at $5.”
This “potential to make a significant impact in areas where people might not have had the resources for breast cancer screening tests before” excites Wan.
“Our device is an excellent choice because it is portable — about the size of your hand — and reusable,” said Wan. “The testing time is under five seconds per sample, which makes it highly efficient.”
It works by taking widely available glucose test strips and washing them in antibodies that interact with cancer biomarkers in the saliva, to generate data the open-source hardware-software platform, Arduino, can process.
And with just a ‘drop of saliva’, the biosensor can produce an accurate result.
“The highlight for me was when I saw readings that clearly distinguished between healthy individuals and those with cancer,” adds Wan. “Ultimately, we’ve created a technique that has the potential to help people all around the world.”
__
Sign up to our newsletter and to get the latest innovation news and more sent to your inbox.
