Jack Andraka before he could legally drive a car, has changed Cancer Research forever. Andraka developed a very cheap, accurate diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer using antibodies, carbon nanotubes—and research from the Google Search Engine. Andraka’s work went on to win the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and at FutureMed 2013.Hailing from Crownsville, Maryland, Jack Andraka's uncle and an acquaintance both died of pancreatic cancer—he couldn’t stop wondering why it was such a quick, nearly unstoppable killer - survival rate is bout 5.5%. Jack found that one reason for the poor survival rate from pancreatic cancer was the lack of early detection and a rapid, sensitive, inexpensive screening method.
He began to think of various ways of detecting and preventing cancer growth and terminating the growth before the cancer cells become pervasive. He developed a paper sensor that could detect pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer in five minutes for as little as 3 cents - The method is similar to diabetic testing strips, utilizing just a pinprick of blood. He conducted his research at John Hopkins University. This research could change the face of cancer and promote early detection. (article idea submitted by Michael from Illinois)
