Breath checks are no longer just a common social courtesy. Doctors are now using exhaled breath checks to detect colorectal cancer.
A new study published in the British Journal of Surgery found that the exhaled breath of people with cancer contains unique patterns known as volatile organic compounds.
“The technique of breath sampling is very easy and non-invasive, although the method is still in the early phase of development,” said study researcher Dr. Donato F. Altomare, M.D., of the University Aldo Moro of Bari. “Our study’s findings provide further support for the value of breath testing as a screening tool.”
Researchers recruited 78 participants for the study; 37 with colorectal cancer and 41 without cancer. Each participant was asked to provide an exhaled breath sample in which doctors examined for volatile organic compounds.
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