An Australian genomics researcher, Stefan Mazy, has developed a new cancer screening test, which takes seconds and could save thousands of lives, according to local media on Sunday.
The whole process takes under a minute.
A second and larger clinical trial is likely to happen within the next six to 12 months, a report said.
Mazy, who developed the DermR Patch with a team of four, said it could one day be an alternative to a biopsy, which is the most common method for diagnosing skin cancer, SBS News reported.
The first-of-its-kind technology harnesses the power of microneedles to identify cancerous lesions. The process is painless and quick.
“The microneedles are less than a millimeter long and they penetrate about a millimeter into the skin and they collect a micro amount of tissue,” Mazy explained.
“When we apply the patch, we put it on for about 15 seconds. There’s a little bit of pressure, there’s a slight twisting motion to get the tissue, [and] it then gets removed,” he added.
Africa Health Report (AHR) checks show that the first clinical trials took place in Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region in May.
While the final results are still pending, Mazy said early results look promising. (Anadolu Agency, excluding headline)
