The plaster that could tell if your mole is cancerous or not and spell an end to traditional biopsies

A 'plaster' placed over moles may one day tell doctors whether they are cancerous or not, scientists hope.

Researchers in Sweden are in the process of making the tool, which will search for molecules released by tumours.

Malmö University experts hope the plaster-like patch will analyse suspicious moles and be able to diagnose cancer within minutes.

It could spell the end to biopsies, which can feel like a pinch, cause bleeding and leave patients waiting weeks for a diagnosis.

The scientists are still in the process of finding tiny fragments that skin cancers leave behind, which could theoretically be picked up. They have already identified some 'promising candidates'.

Sebastian Björklund, one of the researchers, told MailOnline that it was a 'great challenge' - but added it was 'exciting' to be working with an array of scientists to try and produce the plaster.

However, they still need to prove that a patch could even capture molecules given off by tumours. Results are not expected until 2021.

16 November 2019

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