Lung Cancer 'Breathalyser' To Go On Trial

The device, which is hoped to save 10,000 lives, was designed to analyse chemicals in a person’s breath.

17:34 10 February 2015

A ‘breathalyser' that is meant to diagnose lung cancer and which is hoped to save 10,000 lives, will be used in two NHS hospitals this summer as part of the £1m clinical trial. It was designed to analyse the chemicals in person’s breath.

 

The device was invested by engineer Billy Boyle after his wife Kate Gross was diagnosed with colon cancer in October 2012.

 

Mr Boyle told Sky News: "The great thing is the technology exists today.

"We already have the microchip, we're working on small handheld devices in (a) GP's office.

"It's important to get the clinical evidence first. But we think we can have systems available, proven, within the next two years.

"And our goal is to save the NHS £245m - but more importantly to save 10,000 lives."

Mr Boyle said: "Me and my wife talked about different applications of Owlstone's technology.

"We spent many years sitting in cancer wards in Addenbroke's in Cambridge and down in London and you see a lot of people there.

"And they're there because the disease is detected too late.

"So early detection means that you will have fewer people sitting in those waiting rooms.