New Breath Test for Pancreatic Cancer Offers Hope for Early Detection
A new breath test is being trialed in the UK, aiming to revolutionize the early detection of pancreatic cancer. The trial, known as the VAPOR study, is a collaboration between Imperial College London and Pancreatic Cancer UK, targeting 6,000 patients across 40 locations in Scotland, Wales, and England. The test detects Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the breath, which can indicate the presence of cancer. Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to diagnose early, with over 60% of cases reaching Stage 4 by the time of diagnosis. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2025, approximately 67,440 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, with around 52,000 expected to die from the disease.