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Toshiba made technology and a device that can detect 13 types of cancer in hours with 99% accuracy. The National Cancer Center and Tokyo University collaborated with the company to make the blood test. The partnership intends to produce the technology available to the public within several years after starting the trial by next year.

The technology uses a method of examining the concentration and types of micro RNA molecules secreted into blood from the cancer cells. The 13 types of cancers that can be detected include esophageal, gastric, biliary tract, breast, lung, liver, ovarian, prostate, bladder, bowel, pancreatic, glioma, and sarcoma.

Toshiba said that the technology can be used to start cancer treatment at its early stages thus reducing the likelihood of cancer scattering to other parts of the body and increasing the survival chances of the patient.

Koji Hashimoto, the chief research scientist of Toshiba Frontier Research laboratory, stated in the press conference "we have edge accurate cancer detection, the time needed for detection and cost.

Traditionally, detecting cancers can be costly as medical professionals have to use a series of diagnostic tests. The technology makes up a small device and chips that can produce cancer results less than 2 hours.

Photo by Adrian and licensed under creative commons

Tags: medicine, cancers, Toshiba, technology, cancer detection, breakthroughs