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"Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology claim to have figured out a way to better detect colon cancer in the human body.\nIn 2013, the National Cancer Institute estimates that 102,480 Americans will be diagnosed with a new case of colon cancer, while 50,830 will die from colon and rectal cancer combined. Since early detection of precancerous lesions in the colon can help reduce death rates, MIT said its new endoscopy techniques could help by providing doctors more accurate images of the colon's surface, as further explained in the video, above.\n\nSee also: 10 Bioengineered Body Parts That Could Change Medicine\nIn addition to regular 2D images, MIT is using \"photometric stereo endoscopy\" to take topographical images of the colon's surface. This technique works by using multiple light sources and special software to help construct 3D maps of the colon's surface. Researchers say the imaging technology can better detect precancerous growths that could otherwise be missed.\nGoing forward, researchers now plan to test their colon-cancer detection system with clinical trials in Madrid. They also say hardware and software changes could be made to newer endoscopes to add this functionality.\nFor more on this technology, the researchers have published a paper in the Journal of Biomedical Optics.\nThe American Cancer Society suggests that people ages 50 and up should begin regular screening for colorectal cancer. But screening at a younger age is recommended for those who have a family history or other risk factors for colorectal polyps or cancer.\nImage: Massachusetts Institute of Technology\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2013/08/06/3d-images-colon-cancer-detection/>