Using Light Waves To Detect Skin Cancer Without Biopsies

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, with millions of cases per year in the U.S. alone. About one in five people in the U.S. will get skin cancer during their lifetime. These cancers are often diagnosed by removal of small amounts of skin from suspected cancers (biopsies). MOST biopsies are NOT cancer, so many people have unneeded surgeries.

A team of researchers from Stevens Institute of Technology have developed a tool that may eliminate all the unneeded surgeries! The handheld device uses the same kinds of waves used by airport scanners - but this time to detect skin cancer. The tool is very good at identifying cancer and should be inexpensive to mass produce. Great news!