Kang Discusses Reducing Cancer Detection Costs on Arizona Science

BME associate professor Dongkyun "DK" Kang has spent years developing low-cost, non-invasive micoscopy methods for diagnosing cancers. Not only is his skin cancer diagnostic microscope less expensive than traditional microscopes, it is also portable. These types of developments open the door for medical evaluations in remote areas, potentially saving lives. Kang recently discussed these microscopes on Arizona Public Media's Arizona Science podcast. 

"Currently, the way cancer is diagnosed is based on pretty old technology or a pretty old approach," Kang said. "They are taking tissue out of a patient and looking at it under a microscope... We optical engineers have been developing amazing devices that enable you to take a look at the cellular structure of human tissue without having to yank it out. You can put your microscope on the skin and examine any changes associated with cancer."

These microscopes can be used in conjunction with smartphones, allowing more portability and affordability. The current hospital diagnostic instrument costs more than $80,000, whereas Kang's team aims to create a handheld or portable version of the device which costs closer to $1,000.

Kang is one of many College of Engineering faculty to be interviewed on Arizona Science. Previous episodes highlight AME professor Jesse Little, MSE assistant professor Zheshen Zhang, and SIE assistant professor Sol Lim.