--- title: This Week in Health: A Way to Detect Cancer in Seconds description: This week scientists revealed that they have created a pen-like device that may be able to detect cancer in just 10 seconds. canonical: https://time.com/4931756/this-week-in-health-diagnose-cancer/ author: Alexandra Sifferlin article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-09-07T19:23:54.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-05-11T04:58:30.952Z article:section: Health og:title: This Week in Health: A Way to Detect Cancer in Seconds og:description: Here's what happened in health news this week. og:url: https://time.com/4931756/this-week-in-health-diagnose-cancer/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt11e539440670afa3/6988c135ab6d7793a76ad785/time-health-stock-first-air-kit.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 1200 og:image:height: 675 og:image:alt: time-health-stock og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: This Week in Health: A Way to Detect Cancer in Seconds twitter:description: Here's what happened in health news this week. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt11e539440670afa3/6988c135ab6d7793a76ad785/time-health-stock-first-air-kit.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # This Week in Health: A Way to Detect Cancer in Seconds by [Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) ## Alexandra Sifferlin Sep 7, 2017 7:23 PM UTC  First aid kit on blue background with copy space First aid kit on blue background with copy spaceGetty Images by [Alexandra Sifferlin](https://time.com/author/alexandra-sifferlin/) ## Alexandra Sifferlin Sep 7, 2017 7:23 PM UTC Scientists from Texas have developed a [pen-sized device](http://time.com/4928010/diagnose-cancer-pen/) that can identify cancer in seconds. If it becomes FDA-approved, it may one day help doctors get rid of as much cancerous tissue as possible during surgeries. Here’s what else caught our attention this week. (Sign up for the [TIME Health newsletter](http://time.com/newsletter-health) for more.) ## [This pen can diagnose cancer in 10 seconds](http://time.com/4928010/diagnose-cancer-pen/)  The MasSpec Pen is a handheld probe that can non-destructively analyze human tissue samples to identify cancer. Vivian Abagiu/Univ. of Texas at Austin A new pen-sized device may one day make it easier for surgeons to remove cancer tumors. Unlike other real-time diagnostic tools, this device can distinguish between cancerous and non-cancerous tissue in seconds without harmful side effects, its makers say. ## [Here’s how dirty your money really is](http://time.com/4918626/money-germs-microbes-dirty/) The cash in your wallet is teeming with microbes and even residue from drugs—but don’t freak out just yet. ## [The real reason why you love walking your dog](http://time.com/4925129/dog-walking-benefits-happiness/)  Getty Images Spending time with a pet can improve your health in [so many ways](http://time.com/4728315/science-says-pet-good-for-mental-health/). But even with those health perks, researchers found that the biggest reason people love walking their dog is that it simply makes them happy. ## [You can treat acid reflux with diet instead of drugs](http://time.com/4929930/acid-reflux-drugs-diet/) A new study shows that changing what you eat is as effective as medication when it comes to relieving symptoms. ## [This is the meanest reason to break up with someone](http://time.com/4931512/rejection-breakup/) Rejection hurts. But a new study shows that it stings even more when you’re dumped for someone else. ## [The secret power of play](http://time.com/4928925/secret-power-play/)  Bethan Mooney for TIME Unscheduled playtime for children has been declining for the past half-century. But research shows that recess isn’t just a break from school: it helps kids learn to be human. ## [Why sugar makes you so thirsty](http://time.com/4927870/sugar-makes-you-thirsty/)  Molly Cranna for TIME A doctor explains how sweet treats affect your body on a cellular level—which you’ll want to keep in mind the next time you reach for a cookie. ## [Getting tested for prostate cancer may be worth it after all](http://time.com/4927356/psa-test-prostate-cancer/) When it comes to screening for prostate cancer, there’s been much debate over how effective the PSA blood test is. 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