A quick and easy breath test could mean new hope in the early detection of pancreatic cancer, and medical experts say it could be the biggest breakthrough in the fight against the deadly disease in half a century.
The novel device is currently undergoing a large-scale clinical trial in the UK — known as the VAPOR study — and hopes are high.
The Imperial College London and the nonprofit Pancreatic Cancer UK have teamed up to launch the trial in 40 different locations across Scotland, Wales and England, with a target of 6,000 patients.
“The breath test has the potential to revolutionize the early detection of pancreatic cancer,” said Diana Jupp, CEO of Pancreatic Cancer UK, which is funding the study.
“It is, undoubtedly, the most significant step toward a lifesaving breakthrough in 50 years.”
The breathalyzer detects chemicals released in the breath called Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs, which can reveal the presence of cancer.
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose in its early stages and is among the most fatal, as typical early symptoms — including back pain, indigestion, nausea, fatigue and bloating — are common, and easily dismissed.
By the time pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, more than 60% of cases have already advanced to Stage 4, according to statistics, with most patients dying within three months to a year.
Approximately 67,440 patients in the US, including 34,950 men and 32,490 women, are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society, with roughly 52,000 dying of the disease.
In the UK, some 10,500 pancreatic cancer cases are diagnosed each year, and more than half die within three months.
The average lifetime risk of pancreatic cancer is about 1 in 56 in men, who are more susceptible, and 1 in 60 in women.
Some risk factors include body weight, uncontrolled diabetes, smoking, excess coffee and alcohol consumption, lack of exercise and diets high in red meats and sugary drinks, while genetics, age and gender also play a role.
