Researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston can identify and quantify specific protein markers in human saliva to provide an early, non-invasive diagnosis of breast cancer. Current tests for breast cancer include ultrasounds, regular blood test screenings, mammograms and biopsies.

Not surprisingly, the study finds that as the body reacts to the onset of breast cancer it produces a change in the glandular secretions from the salivary glands. Cancer alters the protein profile in a healthy person. The findings open up, and confirms, the potential of saliva as a meter of detecting changes in the body from illness.

In the study, published in the journal Cancer Investigation, researchers analyzed saliva samples from 30 patients. They found 49 proteins that differentiated healthy patients from those with benign breast tumors and those with malignant breast tumors.

These findings suggest that patients can be tested for breast cancer by examining certain protein markers in their saliva during a visit to a dentist’s office or other health care facilities.

According to researchers the tests may be able to tell the difference between benign and malignant tumors which would reduce false positive testing results and allow better determination of the next treatment option for patients.

Source
Cancer Investigation