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Innovate portofolio - Omer
👋 Hey I’m Omer!
Hi, I’m a 14-year-old TKS student based in Dubai, originally from Turkey. One of the projects I’m currently working on focuses on the early detection of lung cancer—a challenge that affects millions of lives around the world.
I’m developing a device that analyzes a person’s breath to detect signs of lung cancer in its earliest stages. When a patient breathes into the mouthpiece, the device captures VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)—tiny chemical markers released by the body. Using artificial intelligence, the system compares the patient’s results with patterns from previously diagnosed cases to detect abnormalities and flag a high risk of lung cancer—before symptoms even appear.
My goal is to create a solution that is fast, non-invasive, and life-saving, and to make early screening accessible to everyone, everywhere.
🧠 Project 1 - Early detection for Lung Cancer patients
🔍 Problem
Problem: Why Lung Cancer Is So Dangerous
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The main reason is late diagnosis—over 75% of patients are only diagnosed when the cancer has already spread (Stage III or IV). At this stage, the survival rate drops below 10%, compared to 60%+ if caught early. Early symptoms like coughing or fatigue are vague and often ignored.
Traditional detection methods like CT scans or biopsies are expensive, slow, invasive, and often unavailable—especially in rural areas or developing countries. This makes regular screening difficult, especially for high-risk individuals such as smokers or the elderly.
Impact: How BreathScan Can Help
BreathScan is a game-changer. It detects lung cancer through a simple breath test, analyzing VOCs (chemical compounds) using AI-powered sensors. It’s fast (results in minutes), non-invasive, and low-cost—perfect for early, large-scale screening.
Benefits:
💡 Solution
What Did We Propose?
We proposed a novel diagnostic tool called BreathScan, a non-invasive breath analysis system designed to detect early-stage lung cancer by analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in exhaled air. These VOCs are tiny molecular signatures that reflect abnormal metabolic processes, such as those found in cancerous tissue.
What Makes It Unique or Bold?
BreathScan stands apart from traditional diagnostic tools in the following ways:
This solution aims to bridge the global diagnostic gap, especially in countries with limited access to imaging tools like CT scans.
Below you can see how the stages progress and as the stages progress the Tumor get larger and spreads around more this causes more symptoms and most likely symptoms would occur in stages 3 or 4 which means ther would be a lower survival rate. In the bar chart you can see results form 2017 in America.
🤔 Challenges
🚧 What was hard?
One of the biggest challenges was understanding the science behind VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and how they relate to lung cancer. I had to research how these microscopic chemicals are produced by the body and how they change when someone has cancer.
Another challenge was figuring out how to train an AI model that could accurately compare breath data. I didn’t have access to real patient datasets, which made it hard to test or simulate how the system would work in the real world. I had to make tough decisions about what to focus on first—design, algorithm, or data collection.
I also struggled with explaining a technical idea in a clear and meaningful way to different people (mentors, judges, peers) without oversimplifying or sounding confusing.
📚 Learnings
🧠 What did you learn?
On the technical side, I learned how breath can carry complex biological data and how VOCs act as chemical signals of disease. I also explored how machine learning can help detect patterns in that data, and why early-stage detection matters so much for survival rates in cancer.
From a mindset perspective, I learned that even a bold idea needs simple, clear storytelling to inspire people. I realized that solving a big problem like cancer doesn’t happen all at once—it’s about building small pieces that can make a big difference over time.
I also learned how important persistence and curiosity are when you’re working on something beyond your current knowledge level. There were moments I felt stuck, but I kept going by asking questions, seeking feedback, and focusing on the impact this could have.
Smart, Simple, Life-Saving Screening
This is the BreathScan device, designed for simple, fast, and non-invasive lung health screening. To use it, the individual simply breathes into the mouthpiece on the right side of the device. The breath sample enters the internal chamber, where it is analyzed for VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)—tiny chemical markers that can indicate early-stage lung cancer. The digital screen on the front displays the results, giving immediate feedback about the user’s risk level.
Inside, the device includes a VOC detection sensor, a microprocessor to run the AI-based comparison algorithm, and a digital display. The AI compares the user's breath profile to a large database of previously diagnosed cases. Within minutes, the user receives a personalized risk assessment, such as “Low Risk,” “Moderate Risk,” or “High Risk – Further Screening Recommended.” BreathScan empowers users by offering them early awareness, peace of mind, and the chance to act before symptoms appear, potentially saving lives.
What you should do?
If your BreathScan result comes back as low risk, it means your breath did not show signs of VOCs typically associated with lung cancer. While this is reassuring, it’s still important to stay proactive—especially if you’re in a high-risk group (such as a smoker or someone with a family history). Regular yearly screenings and healthy lifestyle habits are key to staying ahead.
If the result is high risk, it doesn’t confirm cancer—but it’s a strong warning that VOC patterns linked to lung cancer were detected. In this case, you should see a doctor immediately and get further diagnostic tests like a low-dose CT scan or chest X-ray. If your result is inconclusive or uncertain, it may simply mean the data wasn’t clear enough—so a follow-up test and medical advice are important. In all cases, BreathScan gives you a chance to take action early—when it matters most.
My plans for next 3 months
Over the next three months, my goal is to take BreathScan from a strong concept to a more refined, testable prototype. In the first month, I plan to deepen my understanding of how VOCs relate to lung cancer and how AI can detect patterns in medical data. I’ll connect with TKS mentors or medical experts to get feedback on my current idea and explore similar technologies already in use. I’ll also begin sketching or building a simple prototype—either digitally or physically—to help explain how the device works and what it does for users.
In the second and third months, I’ll shift focus to improving the design, testing user experience, and exploring basic machine learning tools to simulate how the AI model would analyze breath data. I’ll design a simple interface for risk results (low, medium, high) and test how people respond to it. Finally, I’ll work on how to present the project clearly by creating a short pitch video, a slide deck, and a plan for how BreathScan could be introduced in real-world settings like schools or clinics. My goal is to combine technical progress with strong communication, so this idea can grow into something with real-world impact.
📬 Contact
🤝 Want to get in touch? Reach out below!
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