An implant which detects cancer in the body and causes a small artificial mole to appear on the skin as an early warning sign has been developed by scientists.
The tiny patch lies under the skin and is made of a network of cells which constantly monitor calcium levels in the body.
Cancer causes calcium to rocket in the body, and when too much is detected, the implant triggers the production of melanin – the body’s tanning pigment – which causes a small dark mole to appear.
Swiss scientists from the university ETH Zurich say the device can recognise the four most common types of cancer – prostate, lung, colon and breast cancer – at a very early stage of tumour development.
Cancer patients are far more likely to survive if the disease is picked up early. For example nearly all women with stage one breast cancer survive for five years, but by stage four, survival falls to just 22 per cent.
Martin Fussenegger, Professor at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering at ETH Zurich, said the implant could be available within a decade.
“Nowadays, people generally go to the doctor only when the tumour begins to cause problems. Unfortunately, by that point it is often too late.
“Early detection increases the chance of survival significantly.
“An implant carrier should see a doctor for further evaluation after the mole appears. The mole does not mean that the person is likely to die soon.”
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Article source: www.telegraph.co.uk
