New urine test technique helps detect breast cancer

Certain metabolites called pteredines are present in the urine of all human beings, but abnormally high concentrations can signal the presence of cancer.

A  researcher has developed a new screening method that 

uses urinalysis to diagnose breast cancer – and determine 

its severity – before it could be detected with a mammogram.

A study to confirm this technique’s effectiveness is under 

way and  uses a device called a P-scan, to detect the 

concentration of certain metabolites called pteredines in 

urine samples.

These biomarkers are present in the urine of all human 

beings, but abnormally high concentrations can signal the 

presence of cancer.

The researcher believes the levels continue to rise as the 

cancer advances.

She has had good results in limited testing and is now 

expanding testing in a larger study to prove that the 

technique works.

This blind study is part of the validation process required by 

the FDA to eventually make the P-Scan available in clinics 

across the country as an inexpensive, non-invasive test that 

could be used during routine physical examinations.

Once the researcher prove the technology works for breast 

cancer, they can begin to determine if studying pteredine 

levels in urine samples is an accurate way to detect and 

diagnose other types of cancers as well.