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It is generally believed that when one exhibits symptoms of lung cancer and it is finally diagnosed - - chances for survival have decreased significantly. X-rays and lung scans can be misleading with the results causing invasive diagnostic means to determine if in fact the anomaly is a cancer.

The story below from NewsMax Health is of GREAT IMPORTANCE in particular to those of us that are former smokers.

Tell your friends and family about this article….and get the test!

Lung Cancer Blood Test Detects Early Stages

By: Sylvia Hubbard

Scientists have discovered a protein in blood that is linked to lung cancer even in its earliest stage. Tests for the protein, rarely found in people without cancer, may be used to screen individuals at high risk in order to decide whether they need further evaluation.

The protein, known as HAAH, is normally is found inside the cell body of healthy cells, but in the case of cancer cells is found on the surface, the researchers said. The protein, which pushes cells into uncontrolled growth, can be detected in the blood stream long before symptoms of lung cancer begin to develop.

The research team, sponsored by Panacea Pharmaceuticals, found that when 160 lung cancer patients at all stages were tested for the HAAH protein, 99 percent of them had high levels of it in their blood. On the other hand, when 93 non-smokers without lung cancer were tested for the protein, only 9 percent tested positive.

Routine screening for lung cancer using chest X-rays or CT scans is impractical, and is usually performed only on people who have symptoms, when it is often well-advanced. The researchers believe targeted testing for the HAAH protein may be cost-effective and more practical. Research team spokesman Mark Semenuk said, “A positive test for this protein marker, followed by CT scanning, may help identify individuals with lung cancer at a stage in which treatment is more effective, possibly even curative.”

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