Highlights summary
The new device is said to have a sensitivity of 1/100th of a millimeter (10 micrometers) and wirelessly transmits results to a smartphone app in real-time with the push of a button. The low-cost technique measures shape changes covering the entire tumor provides continuous monitoring and is self-contained and non-invasive. There is still a long way to go before cures and effective treatments for various types of cancer are established. Techniques to measure tumor regression (during treatment) often take weeks. As a result, delays in the drug treatment trial process are further delaying some ongoing studies.
The search for a cure for cancer is taking longer than ever, but technology could accelerate it. A group of American engineers has created a small, self-contained device that attaches to the skin and helps measure changes in the size of underlying tumors. A non-invasive, battery-powered device called FAST (Flexible Autonomous Sensor-Measuring Tumors) was developed by researchers at Georgia Tech and Stanford University. This research was published in Science Advances.
Scientists often have to use metal calipers to examine soft tissue, but this is not an ideal approach. In searching for answers to radiological approaches, experts do not have the data they need for real-time assessment. The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland located between the bladder and the penis. This gland is responsible for protecting and nourishing sperm and helps increase sperm count. Prostate growths are either benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men.
It occurs when abnormal cells in the prostate grow and accumulate to form a tumor. Screening and early detection play a very important role in the treatment of prostate cancer. This is because the disease can be controlled in its early stages with minimal medical intervention. Therefore, knowledge of risk factors, early warning signs, screening and treatment methods is essential for managing and mitigating morbidity. On World Cancer Day, Dr. Rajesh Ahlawat, Chair of the Urology and Andrology Group, Department of Nephrology and Urology, Medanta Gurgaon General Hospital, addresses some of the myths associated with prostate cancer.
Fact: If the cancer is diagnosed early and is confined to the prostate, the chances of success are higher. However, when prostate cancer is diagnosed at a later stage, treatment becomes more complex and difficult.
Fact: Most prostate cancer patients are over the age of 60, but younger patients are also at risk. Risk factors include family history, lifestyle, genetics, diet, obesity, and smoking. Fact: Prostate cancer is asymptomatic. Symptoms vary greatly from person to person and can also be caused by several other conditions or disorders. Problems with urination are common early symptoms. Less common symptoms include erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, blood in urine or semen, pain or stiffness in the lower back or groin, unexplained weight loss, and low energy.