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11 September 2017 09:04
The pen can detect cancerous cells in seconds
Researchers have developed a futuristic pen-like device that can tell whether someone has cancer much faster than current technology.
The MasSpec Pen is the work of a team at the University of Texas.
Detects cancer in seconds
Researchers say it can detect cancerous cells in around 10 seconds while also providing precise information to give surgeons a better chance of getting all of the cancer.
Cancers are more likely to return when traces have been left behind during the surgery to remove the tumour.
But then there are potential problems such as nerve damage when surgeons remove excessive healthy tissue around the tumour.
The pen gives precise information about what tissue to cut or preserve.
People who have undergone surgery to remove a tumour can arrange specialist medical travel insurance.
Improves the odds
Livia Schiavinato Eberlin, an assistant professor of chemistry who designed the study, said: "If you talk to cancer patients after surgery, one of the first things many will say is 'I hope the surgeon got all the cancer out'.
"It's just heartbreaking when that's not the case. But our technology could vastly improve the odds that surgeons really do remove every last trace of cancer during surgery."
The study has been published in the Science Translational Medicine journal.
23 September 2017
Thomas Cook has launched a new service that will enable holidaymakers to select which hotel room they want, before even boarding a flight.
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22 September 2017
A new computer code that can be applied to GP surgery data could be the answer to identifying those most at risk of developing bowel cancer.
21 September 2017
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a warning over a growing resistance to antibiotics.
20 September 2017
Thousands of Ryanair flights have been cancelled over the next six weeks, as the airline says it "messed up" allocation of its pilots' annual leave.
19 September 2017
Manchester's Girlguides are being urged to help the elderly with a new badge incentivising youngsters to tackle senior loneliness.
16 September 2017
Holidaymakers are being evacuated as winds up to 200km per hour hit Central Vietnam, with Typhoon Doksuri damaging houses, roads and infrastructure.
15 September 2017
People in parts of East Anglia are eight times more likely to survive liver disease than Blackpool residents, according to new data by Public Health England (PHE).
14 September 2017
A non-invasive alternative to gastric bypass surgery that helps people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight is being recommended for widespread use by NHS experts.
13 September 2017
Almost half of UK adults travelling to areas at risk of malaria are not covering themselves by taking medication, despite recommendations made by the NHS and world health organisations.
12 September 2017
A new health warning has been issued by scientists in Sweden, suggesting e-cigarettes with nicotine could lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
09 September 2017
08 September 2017
A staffing crisis in the NHS is seeing cancer patients turned away from their GP surgery and instead visiting A&E, a report has claimed.