European researchers have made significant advances in the early diagnosis of breast cancer by combining laser technology with artificial intelligence. A new study published in the journal Biophotonics demonstrates impressive results in detecting the earliest stages of this disease.
The research team developed a blood analysis method based on Raman spectroscopy. This technology employs a laser beam to examine blood plasma. A spectrometer analyzes the interaction of laser light with blood components, identifying even slight changes in the chemical composition of cells and tissues that may indicate the presence of cancer.
A key innovation is the application of artificial intelligence to process and interpret the data obtained. AI enables rapid and highly accurate analysis of complex spectra, significantly enhancing diagnostic efficiency.
In a small study involving 24 participants (12 with breast cancer and 12 healthy individuals), the new method demonstrated remarkable accuracy: 98% in detecting breast cancer at the earliest stage 1a. Moreover, the technology was able to identify four main subtypes of breast cancer with 90% accuracy. This is crucial, as knowing the exact type of cancer at an early stage allows for the selection of the most effective treatment.
Researchers emphasize that the results are preliminary, but the potential of this new technology is immense. They hope that in the future, this method can be applied to the diagnosis of other types of cancer.