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Yogurt Is the Next Weapon in the Fight Against Cancer

MIT's Sangeeta Bhatia wants to put an end to colonoscopies.

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We've all seen the commercials: A group of women (why is it always women?) stand around discussing how an amazing new brand of probiotic yogurt keeps them regular.

Yes, we've known for a while that yogurt not only tastes good, but has clear health benefits. And if one MIT professor has her way, everyone's favorite fermented dairy product will soon be a new weapon in the war on cancer.

Over 50,000 Americans die of colon cancer each year, and more than 50% of at-risk individuals don't get regular screenings.

Professor Sangeeta Bhatia is developing a yogurt that will provide an affordable, simple way to screen for colorectal cancer. Specifically, she has discovered a way to modify the bacteria found in yogurt, causing it to deliver synthetic molecules into a patient's renal system.

Once inside the body, these molecules can be broken down by certain cancer-related enzymes, passed through the kidneys, and expelled in urine. The urine can then be tested for signs of cancer in a procedure not unlike current pregnancy tests.

Over 50,000 Americans die of preventable colon cancer each year, and according to the American Cancer Society, over 50% of at-risk individuals don't get regular screenings. It's not surprising: Anyone who's ever been subjected to a colonoscopy can tell you how invasive and uncomfortable they can be.

With any luck, this new process will soon become a reality and make the screening not only less painful, but also considerably less expensive.

Via: MIT Technology Review Hero Image: Flickr user "geishabot" (CC BY 2.0)

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