Testing a cheek swab to detect early lung cancer

Researchers are testing a new technology called AIR-DS that uses a simple cheek swab and special light analysis to detect early signs of lung cancer. The test looks for tiny changes in cells from inside your mouth that may indicate lung cancer. This approach could help catch lung cancer much earlier, when it's easier to treat.

Most lung cancers are caught late, when they're harder to treat. This trial exists to see if a non-invasive cheek swab can reliably identify lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage—and potentially offer a cheaper, simpler alternative to current diagnostic methods.