The case in summary British researchers at Sheffield Hallam University are developing a test that can detect breast cancer through fingerprints. The test, which involves swiping a finger over a metal disk, has shown 97.8% accuracy in a smaller test group. The researchers are now applying for funding for further tests to get the method approved in the UK. The test can potentially replace mammography and biopsy, which many patients find uncomfortable and invasive. The method requires advanced mass spectrometer technology and will cost between NOK 260 – 395 per test. Despite the promising research, everyone is encouraged to continue with the existing methods of screening for possible breast cancer. Senior doctor Oddbjørn Straume is not very impressed by the British study so far. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. By having a patient swipe a finger three times over a metal disk, experts can determine whether or not the person has breast cancer. This is the opinion of the researchers at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, who are working with a new technology to detect the form of cancer. IN ACTION: Simona Francese is Professor of Forensic and Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry at Sheffield Hallam. Photo: Sheffield Hallam University In a smaller test group of patients with benign, early or breast cancer with spread, so-called metastasis, the test method revealed the various cancer categories with 97.8 percent accuracy, according to the researchers. The Swedish Cancer Society believes that this type of research can mean that more people are diagnosed with breast cancer earlier. You can read more about that further down in the case. From forensics to cancer Professor Simona Francese, who leads the research team, has worked in forensics for close to 15 years, according to Reuters. Through research into what fingerprint technology can reveal, for example medication use and drugs, Francese discovered other possible uses. Simple test The professor tells news that the test is carried out by a person washing and drying their hands and waiting 15 minutes. They then swipe a fingertip across a metal plate three times, to leave a thin layer of sweat. Chemicals are then added that break down the proteins in the sweat into smaller components, peptides. SWIPE: This demonstrates how a finger is swept over a metal plate in the test. Photo: Screenshot / Reuters Finally, the sample is placed in a spectrometer, which enables the pattern in the proteins to be analysed. The reading itself is done by artificial intelligence, which can then differentiate between benign breast cancer, cancer at an early stage and cancer with spread. Much more testing is required The researchers shared their preliminary findings in 2023, and Francese tells news that they are now applying for funds to finance further tests, so that the method can eventually be approved in the UK. – If we get the funds, we will test a group of 350 patients from November 2024. In phase two of clinical tests, we want to test over 1,000 patients, says the professor. In the first sample, they tested 135 samples from five women, so there is still a long way to go before the test method can possibly be approved. – The AI model is solid, but it is crucial that we confirm the findings on a much larger group of women in order to take into account biological variations and to ensure specificity for this type of cancer, Francese points out to news. Can cost NOK 300 per test. She says that the method requires advanced mass spectrometer technology, which is very expensive. But the test itself, she estimates, will cost between 20 and 30 pounds, approximately NOK 260 – 395, per piece – depending on which equipment and chemicals are used. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: The metal plate with finger sweat added with chemicals is inserted into a mass spectrometer. The results from there are analyzed by artificial intelligence. Photo: Screenshot / Reuters Francese emphasizes that since this technology is at an early stage, she encourages everyone to use the existing methods to investigate possible breast cancer. The mammography program Women between 50 and 69 receive an invitation letter with the time and place to attend a mammography every two years. Participation is voluntary. Breast cancer is the type of cancer that affects most women. In 2022, 4,224 women and 23 men in Norway will get breast cancer. The mammography program aims to find breast cancer at an early stage, so that fewer people die from the disease, and so that the treatment can be as gentle as possible. Today, there are close to 57,000 people in Norway who have recovered from or are living with breast cancer. Of these, around six percent live with spread. The mammography program has existed as a public screening program for over 20 years. (Source: The Cancer Register) According to her, the aim is eventually to be able to save patients from having to undergo mammography or tissue samples, which many patients find uncomfortable and invasive. – Can cause more people to discover breast cancer earlier Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross at the Cancer Society confirms that many women dread having a mammogram. POSITIVE: Ingrid Stenstadvold Ross at the Cancer Society believes that a simpler test for breast cancer could make more people get tested. Photo: Ingvild Vaale Arnesen / Kreftforeningen – Either because they don’t want to undress, or are afraid that it will hurt. Fortunately, it usually goes better than you think, but some still find it uncomfortable and painful, she says. The Secretary-General states that one in four does not show up for a mammogram, and that it is especially women with an immigrant background who do not show up. – If in the future mammography can be replaced with something as simple as a fingerprint, it will firstly ease the discomfort for some, but it could also lead to more people taking the test to detect breast cancer, says Ross and continues: – Research as this could mean that more people are diagnosed with breast cancer earlier. Then the prognosis will be better and the treatment more gentle. Doubtful about the test method Senior doctor Oddbjørn Straume at Haukeland University Hospital works with, among other things, breast cancer patients. He is not very impressed with the British study so far. Photo: Private – I am initially doubtful whether this will find any place in breast cancer treatment or diagnostics of breast cancer patients. I think the study is neither promising nor particularly interesting, he says. – Why? – First and foremost because it is a tiny study where machine learning and artificial intelligence have been used on a very small amount of material. There is far too little basis for saying anything of scientific value, Straume elaborates. Mammography the best you have He says he mostly gets positive feedback on mammography and biopsy from his patients. – Many people have had their cancer detected in the mammography program and express gratitude that it was detected early and that they receive treatment early. That is the main impression, says the senior doctor and adds: – And then there are some who have not had the cancer detected by mammography, and who express disappointment at that. The method detects many cases, but not all. It’s not one hundred percent, but it’s the best we have. How to examine your breasts Stand in front of the mirror shirtless and look for changes. Stretch your arms in the air and watch for changes. Feel your breasts for lumps while lifting one arm at a time over your head. Examine each breast “hour by hour”: Start at the top (12 o’clock) and feel from the edge of the breast towards the nipple. Systematically go through both armpits as you went through the breasts. Changes in your breasts do not necessarily mean you have cancer. The Norwegian Cancer Society recommends that you go to the doctor if you notice changes in your breasts. They suggest that everyone should self-examine their breasts from the age of 30-35, every two months. For those who menstruate, the examination should be done around one week after the last period. Source: Cancer Association Straume says that AI is also being tested in Norway by, for example, X-ray examinations, to work faster and more efficiently. – But in the meantime, there is a need for the human assessment as well. Quite enormous development is taking place there, both within the mammography program and within pathology. KI probably has a big future there, he says. Most common form of cancer among women According to the Norwegian Cancer Society, 38,265 people got cancer in 2022 in Norway. Of these, 4,224 were new cases of breast cancer, which is among the four most common forms of cancer. It is the most common form of cancer among women, but men can also get breast cancer. Today, work is being done to detect breast cancer by encouraging people to self-examine their breasts and participate in the mammography programme. You can find more about breast cancer, symptoms and examination here. Optimistic for other uses When Professor Simona Francese was asked if the technique could be used to detect other forms of cancer, she replied that it was luck that they discovered the connection with breast cancer while researching proteins in fingerprints as a way of determining gender. But the researcher says they are optimistic that they can develop methods for other forms of cancer if the research communities cooperate.
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Will use fingerprints to reveal breast cancer – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
