Saliva test may turn tide on prostate cancer, claim scientists

A new saliva test developed by scientists in the UK may change the way prostate cancer is detected. This innovative test allows men to take the test at home, eliminating the need for a visit to the doctor. The saliva test analyzes the DNA in a man's saliva to identify those who are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. This is a significant advancement because it can help doctors find aggressive cancers that might otherwise go unnoticed with traditional testing methods. However, experts caution that the test has not yet been proven to save lives, and it may take years before it can be used routinely in medical practice. Prostate cancer is a serious health issue, with around 12,000 men in the UK dying from the disease each year. The call for routine screening of healthy men has intensified, especially after Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy revealed that he has terminal prostate cancer. In the past, routine screening was rejected because the current test, which measures levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood, has limitations. The new saliva test does not look for cancer signs inside the body; instead, it examines 130 specific mutations in men's DNA that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. In a recent study, scientists tested men aged 55 to 69 and calculated their risk scores. Those in the top 10% of scores were invited for further testing, which included biopsies and MRI scans. The findings from the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were promising. Out of 745 men with high scores, 468 agreed to undergo additional tests. Among those tested, 187 were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 103 had high-risk tumors that required treatment. Notably, 74 of these tumors would not have been detected at this stage using current testing methods. Professor Ros Eeles from the Institute of Cancer Research in London stated, 'With this test, it could be possible to turn the tide on prostate cancer. ' She emphasized that the test can help identify men at risk of aggressive cancers who need further testing while sparing those at lower risk from unnecessary treatments. One participant in the trial, Dheeresh Turnbull, a 71-year-old from Brighton, was shocked to learn he was in the highest risk category despite having no family history of prostate cancer. Further examinations confirmed he had cancer. Dheeresh expressed his disbelief, saying, 'I would never have been diagnosed at this stage if I hadn't joined the trial. ' His younger brother also participated in the study and discovered he had an aggressive tumor as well. Dheeresh remarked, 'It's incredible to think that because of this study, two lives have now been saved in my family. ' Despite the promising results, experts warn that the test is not yet ready for widespread use. Professor Dusko Ilic from King's College London described the test as 'promising' but noted that it only modestly improves cancer detection when used alongside existing risk factors such as age, PSA levels, and MRI scans. He also pointed out that there is still 'no direct evidence' that the test improves survival rates or quality of life, indicating that further research is necessary. The study primarily focused on individuals of European ancestry, and efforts are ongoing to adapt the test for people from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, the research team is considering questions related to cost-effectiveness, potential risks, and the optimal timing for risk assessment. The saliva test will be integrated into a broader initiative aimed at determining the best approach for prostate cancer screening in the UK. Professor Michael Inouye from the University of Cambridge believes this study will be regarded as a landmark in the use of genetics to assess cancer risk. However, he cautioned that it is still a long journey ahead before such tests can be implemented in clinical practice. He stated, 'This is a big step along the path to clinical implementation, but it is still a long road. ' Experts agree that it will likely take years before the NHS can adopt this innovative saliva test for routine use. The scientific community is optimistic about the potential of this new testing method, but they recognize the need for further research and validation before it can be widely adopted.