the measurement of volatile chemicals in human breath has recently emerged as a non-invasive technique with the potential for the early diagnosis of disease. a benefit of early diagnosis is that treatment plans including lifestyle changes can be implemented earlier, which will lead to improved patient outcomes. a novel gas analysis technique called selected ion flow tube mass spectrometry (sift-ms) offers a more rapid breath analysis process without the need for calibration. the sift-ms technique is currently being investigated as to its potential to be used as a diagnostic tool for various diseases.