This could save a lot of lives.
Two fifth year students from Mayo have created a device that could detect testicular cancer early.
Seán Gallagher and Tiernan Walsh, from Castlebar, approached their classmates and asked them how many of them would be embarrassed about being tested for testicular cancer by their GP.
In the survey, 72% said they would be embarrassed but 94% said they would happily test themselves if they could do it in the privacy of their own homes.
With that in mind, Seán and Tiernan came up with this device, which tests for certain markers found in sufferers of testicular cancer.
“Testicular cancer is quite rare, but it is the most common cancer found in young men aged between 15 and 35 years,” Seán told JOE.
“We go to an all boys school so it is important that we know about testicular cancer, the signs of the cancer and how early diagnosis can lead to more effective treatment.
“We are in the process of getting a patent for the device because there is nothing like this on the market at present and we hope to formally finalise the details around the patent shortly.
“We believe there is a commercial future in the project. The components used in the prototype were relatively cheap to source and manufacture.
Picture: Sean (left) and Tiernan
“If we were to manufacture and purchase in bulk we think it would be a quite a cost effective device to help with the early detection of testicular cancer.
“Ideally we would like to increase the sensitivity of the test and approach a biomedical company about mass producing the device.
“Our vision for the device is that it would be readily available for the public in supermarkets and pharmacies much like pregnancy tests are now widely available.
“The procedure for the test itself is like a pregnancy test and results are known within a minute. Within our test kits we would have recommended next steps for a positive test and information on testicular cancer.
“All the science behind the device stacks up and we have the data to prove it. The next steps for us is to secure the patent, get into a lab where we can undertake clinical trials and further validate the test and the device.”
The two students will be exhibiting their project at the national final of SciFest, which takes place on Friday 11th November in Marino Conference Centre.
SciFest is an all-inclusive, all-island science competition where second-level students showcase science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) projects at a series of one day science fairs. These are held locally in schools and regionally in the 14 Institutes of Technology, DCU and St. Mary’s College, Derry.
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