ANKARA: An Australian genomics researcher has developed a new cancer screening test, which takes seconds and could save thousands of lives, according to local media on Sunday. Stefan Mazy, who developed the DermR Patch with a team of four, said it could one day be an alternative to a biopsy, which is the most common method for diagnosing skin cancer, SBS News reported. The first-of-its-kind technology harnesses the power of microneedles to identify cancerous lesions. The process is painless and quick. "The microneedles are less than a millimeter long and they penetrate about a millimeter into the skin and they collect a micro amount of tissue," Mazy explained. "When we apply the patch, we put it on for about 15 seconds. There's a little bit of pressure, there's a slight twisting motion to get the tissue, [and] it then gets removed,' he added. The whole process takes under a minute. The first clinical trials took place in Western Australia's remote Pilbara region in May. While the final results are stil l pending, Mazy said early results look promising. A second and larger clinical trial is likely to happen within the next six to 12 months. Source: Anadolu Agency