CANCER DETECTION

摘要

A method of detecting cancer in a patient includes the step of exposing a sample 4 of hair, removed from the patient, to an incident beam of X-rays from an X-ray source 1. The X-rays are scattered by the hair, which rays are then detected by a detector 11. Predetermined characteristics of the scattered X-rays are monitored; it has been found that these characteristics are different in patients who do not have cancer from those who do have cancer, or who are at greater risk of developing it. The X-ray source may be a standard, incoherent X-ray source, such as is found in clinics and laboratories.