A simple check performed during cosmetic dentistry or other treatments could help to protect patients against lung cancer, it has been revealed.
Scientist at NorthShore University Health Systems and the University of Chicago have discovered that a cheek swab can show dentists whether the disease is present in its earliest stages.
The inner cheek is swabbed and then diffuse light is shone on the cells. By using partial wave spectroscopis microscopy, it is then possible to see which patients have lung cancer and which do not.
Hemant Roy, lead researcher, said it is excellent that such an unobtrusive test could mean that people who need treatment get it much sooner than before.
"This represents a major step forward in translating biomedical optics breakthroughs for personalised screening for lung cancer," he added.
According to Macmillan Cancer Support, lung cancer is the second most common cancer in the UK, with more than 38,000 people diagnosed each year.
