New breath test could detect lung cancer in just seven minutes

The NHS will test an AI test using "nanoparticles" to detect various diseases.

The "electronic nose" technology will search for chemicals ("biomarkers") that are produced by a number of conditions, including cancer, dementia and tuberculosis.

The new breathalyzer will be more sensitive (and therefore accurate) than those currently used.

The first human trials are planned for fall in two NHS hospitals and two US hospitals. They will focus on lung cancer in patients.

Test subjects breathe through a mouthpiece for one minute before the sample is treated by a machine on site.

The information will then be forwarded to a supercomputer at the Ancon Medical developer's headquarters in Kent, which will make a decision and return it within seven minutes.

If all goes as planned, the technology could be made available to the public by 2021.

Dr. Glyn Hiatt-Gipson of Ancon said: "It's more sensitive than a dog's nose and it's powered by AI, so it's constantly evolving.

"My vision is that in a decade, patients will be able to breathe into this mouthpiece and that doctors will be able to diagnose up to 400 different diseases in one breath."

The breath test is based on a new bomb detection kit that will be used by both the United Kingdom and the United States.