Blood cancers can be difficult to diagnose because their early symptoms, like tiredness and weight loss, are often vague.
Doctors usually rely on complex and costly methods such as scans or biopsies. These can take time and may not always be available everywhere.
Scientists have long searched for faster, easier, and more affordable tools to spot cancer sooner.
Early detection not only improves treatment outcomes but can also help track how well therapy is working.
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A breakthrough in every breath
Researchers at the Barts Cancer Institute, Queen Mary University of London, have explored a surprising new approach.
Led by Dr John Riches, the team wanted to find out if breath could reveal signs of blood cancer.
Using a technology called Breath Biopsy®, they collected breath samples from 46 patients with blood cancer and 28 healthy volunteers.
The samples were then analysed using mass spectrometry, a technique that detects thousands of tiny chemical fragments.
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The team discovered that people with high-grade lymphoma had higher levels of specific molecules in their breath.
These molecules form when fats in cells are damaged by oxidative stress, a process linked to cancer development.
This was the first time researchers showed that breath could hold chemical traces of blood cancer.
Looking ahead to faster, easier diagnosis
Breathalyser devices are portable, inexpensive, and easy to use.
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This means they could bring cancer testing to clinics worldwide, including areas without access to advanced medical equipment.
In the future, a simple breath test could replace long waits for scans or lab results. A doctor might collect a sample during an appointment and see results almost instantly.
Although more research is needed, this discovery could reshape how blood cancers are detected.
The goal now is to refine the method so that breath collection takes only a few seconds and works reliably across different types of lymphoma.
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If successful, this could be one of the simplest ways yet to uncover a life-threatening disease before it’s too late.
This article is based on information from eCancer.org.
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