Istanbul Technical University is working on future health technologies such as early detection of cancer and the use of 3-D printing technology, it announced on Wednesday.

The university is taking help from its engineering departments to produce these technologies, which include an early detection mask for lung cancer, a university statement said.

There are many fields of study on health technology offered at the university, which aim to improve the quality of life for patients, the statement added.

Professor Mehmet Karaca, the chancellor of the university, said that subjects such as computers, electronics and machinery serve as a bridge between medicine and engineering sciences.

Scientists from the university have developed six devices to diagnose cancer since 2010. They include devices that diagnose breast, throat and lung cancer, and diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and epilepsy.

Students from the university used 3-D printers to produce a bionic hand for children aged three to 18.