The present invention relates to a method of detecting the presence of cancer cells in an animal such as a human or other mammal, comprising administering a measured volume of air to the subject wherein 16O2 and 18O2 are present and then measuring the δ18O in the subjects exhaled CO2. A Photoacoustic Spectrometer system is used for measuring the amount of laser light (Infrared) absorbed by isotopes of CO2(C16O2, C18O2) in the exhalant.