Saliva test may detect breast cancer

HOUSTON, March 21 (UPI) -- A saliva test collected by a dentist may assist in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care of breast cancer, according to a U.S. study.

The early-method saliva diagnosis is not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, but if it does receive approval, dentists and physicians could use it to collaboratively diagnose breast cancer, the authors said.

Study authors Sebastian Z. Paige and Charles F. Streckfus of the University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston said general dentists are perfect candidates to assist with this type of diagnosis because they can easily remove saliva samples from a patient's mouth during routine visits.

Salivary testing has several advantages over blood testing: It doesn't require needle punctures; it's non-invasive; and saliva can be collected without causing a patient any pain.

However, the study warns that the saliva test would not be the only means for diagnosis, and it would not eliminate the need for regular mammogram screening or blood analysis.