Cell 'fingerprint' test for cancer created

BOSTON, July 9 (UPI) -- Northeastern University scientists in Boston say they have developed an early-stage, highly accurate cancer-screening technology.

Professor Max Diem, who developed the the procedure, said it can determine within seconds whether a cell is cancerous, precancerous or normal.

The scientists said the technology, for which there is a patent pending, automatically captures a "fingerprint" of the cell's biochemical composition, which is then analyzed by a computer for abnormalities. The technique can screen for oral, cervical and head-and-neck cancers faster and more accurately than current methods, thereby enabling earlier cancer detection, the researchers said.

Diem said the technology has a greater than 95 percent accuracy rate, compared with 65 percent to 70 percent for current screening methods.

"We are looking beyond traditional methods by focusing on detecting cellular changes that happen in the earlier stages of cancer, which will have a tremendous impact on patients," he said. "Our ultimate goal is to have this application in doctors' and dentists' offices so that patients can be routinely screened."