A world-first test that can diagnose breast cancer by X-raying a woman's hair will be available commercially later this year, the Australian developer said on Monday.

Managing director David Young of Sydney company Fermiscan said results from a trial involving 2,000 Australian women showed the test to be effective in detecting breast cancer, though the success rate was just 75 percent.

Young said the results were still "comparatively accurate" vis- a-vis the mammogram, the gold standard test before rolling it out nationwide.

"Fermiscan plans to progress to commercialization in Australia by the end of the year, which is exciting news," Young said in a statement.

The test is based on an Australian university discovery that breast cancer changes the molecular structure of hair.

Breast tumors secrete chemicals called cytokines into the bloodstream, which can affect the way the hair follicle works to form hair, a difference that can be picked up using sophisticated X-ray technology.

It was designed as a less painful and invasive method of cancer detection than the mammogram, and it can be used by women of all ages.

"The accuracy of the test in a commercial use is expected to significantly improve as women will prepare by ensuring they have undamaged new growth of hair for testing," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)