AirGradient Forum

Cancer Detection

#1

Just fyi.

Many years ago it was discovered that there was something in the breath of those with cancer. Some dogs were able to pick up on this on their owners! Some time later, fruit flies, worms and other living creatures highly sensitive to biochemical compounds were found to be able to detect these compounds. Eventually it was determined to be VOC’s. It occurred to me that just maybe, IAQ monitors could be unofficially used to measure these compounds in ones breath. Imagine that. Of course, in reality, most likely a complicated science with many details, as not all VOC’s are detected by consumer units. And other aspects such as sensitivity and accuracy, etc. Still, an interesting thought. Then it occurred to me, hey what if VOC monitors could be modifiedstrong text to be specific. Via professional units, research and labs of course. Could be a market. Alas, or perhaps joy, they beat me to it. Hopefully it is of help to those in need. And for early detection/prevention.

You can have a look at owlstone breath biopsy

Makes for interesting reading.

#2

Do you have any links to any scientific papers discussing this topic?

#3

I’m sure papers are out there. Probably if you dig around a bit on that site. Or Google of course. I’m not associated with any aspect of it, just thought some of our fellow members might find it as interesting as I do,. Considering the common ground of health, VOC’s, and instrumentation. :slight_smile:

#5

Was thinking also about well known phenomena of breath odor associated with Diabetes.

Sure enough…

The Clinical Potential of Exhaled Breath Analysis For Diabetes Mellitus

Or, more recently, 2024, Detection of hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes through breath volatile organic compound profiling using gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry

Sorry, can’t post the links due to system but you can enter into your favorite search engine.

#6

Oh, and another interesting note. If you are using an IAQ monitor in a small bedroom and notice TVOC levels rising during the night for no known reason, it might also be another body source of VOC production. The gut. Perhaps even due to high Candida levels in the body. (Theory based on deduction of information)
This would be due to the sensor being very reactive to Ethanol.

Wiki has a good overview. See there for more details.
Auto-brewery syndrome (ABS) (also known as gut fermentation syndrome, endogenous ethanol fermentation or drunkenness disease) is a condition characterized by the fermentation of ingested carbohydrates in the gastrointestinal tract of the body caused by bacteria or fungi.[1] ABS is a rare medical condition in which intoxicating quantities of ethanol are produced through endogenous fermentation within the digestive system.[2] The organisms responsible for ABS include various yeasts and bacteria, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, S. boulardii, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. krusei, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecium.[1] These organisms use lactic acid fermentation or mixed acid fermentation pathways to produce an ethanol end product.[3] The ethanol generated from these pathways is absorbed in the small intestine, causing an increase in blood alcohol concentrations that produce the effects of intoxication without the ingestion of alcohol.[4]