Swiping Out Cancer

mhackarbie writes "Just read this article over on Wired about a cheap hand scanner which might be able to spot cancer tumors. It took only few seconds of reflection before I decided this could be the killer biotech app which is needed for the dot-bio boom everyone keeps predicting someday." We've mentioned this gizmo before.

Comments

Erm

[TCM]

Is it just me or does anyone else find using the words killer biotech app a bit.. unlucky? Keep that thing away from me!

The key is if it's better than current detection

[Alkarismi]

As someone who has seen, at first hand, the horrors of undetected cancer, this could just the ticket.
My Father died from cancer last year. He had a secondary tumor removed a year before, but the specialists who saw him could apparently not detect a primary. It was clear to us that there was one (he was degenerating), but current detection techniques, apparently, couldn't find it. An autopsy was conducted when he died, at which point extensive cancer was located.
Part of the cure for cancer must surely be early, and accurate, detection. Let's hope this is part of it!

Discovery Channel

[Anonymous Coward]

Discovery Channel had a show not too long ago about trained dogs being able to -smell- cancer on test subjects.
Not only would it not require development or be at the hands of some biotech CEO, but dogs have been shown to lower blood pressure in people.

Think of it: Handheld Schnauzer.

You could probably train basset hounds too, just so that PVP would have more material.

Re:This is not biotech

[robslimo]

Bullpuckey.

Bio, a prefix meaning life/living organisms
tech, short for technology.

OK, we've got a handheld scanner that can be used to enhance/lengthen/improve a persons life. Seems like an application of techology to life/living organisms.

Biotech it is.

cancer

[Pompatus]

This is something that interestes me. My father died of cancer at the age of 56 and my mother survived it at the age of 44. I think I might have a high hereditary risk. The idea of cheaper detection methods is important. The cheaper it is to detect, the more frequently the tests will take place. Hopefully, this could become part of a yearly checkup.

For the record, neither of my parents were smokers. I think I might know how I am going to die.

But it hasn't been peer reviewed!

[PelagicArgosy]

"Experts will remain cautious until a study on TRIMprob's abilities has been examined in a peer-reviewed medical journal."

and from the earlier BBC article:
"The results have yet to be accepted for publication in a major medical journal - and the device will not find favour in hospitals elsewhere until they are."

This is the key point - without peer review, there's no way of verifying the claims of a company that is obviously in marketing mode.

Searching Medline for "Tissue Resonance InterferoMeter Probe" or "TRIMprob" turned up ZERO matches. Without good evidence, there is no reason to take this seriously as other than marketing fluff.

That's easy where I'm from.

[k0de]

I agree, and not just for cancer. I live in Canada and though health care is virtually free, not being able to 'buy the best advice' leaves me doubting every diagnosis, and in many cases rightfully so.

This type of device, if extended for other types of detection, could be exactly what 'Dr. Dad' needs to ensure the family is in general good heath without having to rely on the shady advice of under skilled or under paid health care staff.