Scientists are looking for non-invasive ways to detect lung cancer in order to reduce the number of patients diagnosed with an advanced stage of the disease.

A multiple marker test in peripheral blood is one such way. In research performed at the IRST Biosciences Laboratory in Italy, researchers looked at blood from 100 healthy donors and blood from 100 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). By using a combination of four specific testing techniques, they could discriminate between healthy donors and NSCLC patients.

The 5th Latin American Conference on Lung Cancer will highlight the latest in lung cancer research and tobacco control.

Nearly 1,000 medical professionals will gather at the conference to discuss the latest lung cancer research and treatment. Lung cancer kills more than 1.5 million people each year worldwide. It is also among the most challenging cancers to treat.

Yet, there is excitement and hope, thanks to new advances which are improving the chances of better outcomes.

Source: International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer