Singapore: Japanese researchers claim that they have developed a new device that can detect cancer from a drop of blood in just three minutes!

The device developed as a result of collaboration between Kobe-based medical device manufacturer My Tech researchers from Showa University uses a biochip, a sensor comprising multiple tiny test sites.

The chip, known as proteo, functions by attracting a faintly luminous substance found in cancer patients, even when the cancer is at a very early stage.

"We diagnosed without any errors whether the tumor is benign or malignant in a study of 20 patients," said Mr Yuki Hasegawa of My Tech.

Mr Hiroaki Ito, a researcher from Showa University, said the preliminary data suggests that the device could be more accurate and effective than existing blood tests.

"Currently, blood testing can only detect around 10 to 20 percent of cancers. In contrast, we are expecting to detect as much as 90 percent."

" Most cancers are detectable only after they have developed for 15 to 20 years. Our technology allows diagnosing much earlier than that, even within one year after they develop," concluded Mr Hasegawa.