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Health: Sniffing Out Skin Cancer

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Skin cancer is skyrocketing, especially among younger women under the age of 40. Now instead of biopsy's, which can be painful and slow to get results, finding skin cancer could be as simple as a quick sniff.

It's a hand held nose sensor that's passed along the surface of the skin detecting scents.

Scientists at Philadelphia's Monell Chemical Senses Center have identified an odor profile for skin cancer. Their new research shows the tumors emit certain kinds of chemicals with distinct smells.

"The fact that we were able to see statistically significant differences in certain chemicals and say yes these are biomarkers related to skin cancer is really, really exciting to us," said Dr. Michelle Gallagher, who conducted the research at Monell.

She says if the continuing research pans out this could be a quicker, non invasive way to detect skin cancer.

"Currently the only way to detect skin cancer is by a visual exam which can be somewhat subjective and then a biopsy which is an invasive procedure," said Dr. Gallagher.

"No one likes having a knife cut out a piece of your skin so anything that could make that not have to happen would be great," said Leslie Stein, who works at Monell.

She has been diagnosed with skin cancer several times.

"As a patient, it would be very reassuring, and it would just, it would give anyone who actually does have melanoma a leg up on actually beating the disease," said Leslie.

Researchers say skin cancer wouldn't have an odor we could smell, which is why the device was developed.

At this point it's still experimental, and for now any time you see an unusual mole, you should have it checked out.


RELATED LINKS:

MedlinePlus
National Cancer Institute
American Cancer Society

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