This story was first published in digitalhealth.net
Cancer to be detected earlier due to stargazing tech
Health experts have said that cancer could be detected in patients far earlier by using the same technology used to observe stars millions of miles away.
£1 million of UK Space Agency funding has been made available to develop a pioneering portable 3D medical X-ray machine, based on technology used to study stars in distant galaxies. The equipment will allow doctors to get a more comprehensive view of areas where they suspect tumours are growing, aiding more effective treatment and earlier diagnosis.
It is reported that the kit could also allow patients to be scanned in doctors’ surgeries, reducing the need for trips to hospital for busy X-ray and CT scanners.
Science Minister Chris Skidmore said: “The challenge of working in space focuses some of the UK’s most brilliant minds. These experts can also help transform our lives for the better here on Earth. The huge potential of space technology isn’t just about reaching out into the universe: it’s here on earth that its greatest impact can be seen, from 5G to tackling climate change or ensuring we can all benefit through space-inspired healthcare technologies such as these.
“We have committed to spending 2.4% of GDP on research and development by 2027, with space being at the forefront of our ambitions, and it’s in the potential of medical advances such as these that we can see the potential massive benefits of spending more on the technology of the future, helping us to live healthier, happier lives, for longer. This is our modern Industrial Strategy in action.”
Professor Tony Young, NHS England’s national clinical director for innovation, said: “Last year as we celebrated the NHS’s 70th birthday we challenged industry to bring technology designed for outer space into the NHS, and using stargazing technology to spot cancer is exactly the type of advanced innovation that could improve care for patients by speeding up diagnosis and helping to deliver our Long Term Plan which will save half a million lives.”
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