A screening test for early detection of breast cancer is under development which checks changes in proteins found in saliva. Scientists from the University of Texas Dental Branch say the test can distinguish healthy women from those with benign breast tumours, and those with malignant breast tumours.
More work is required before a screening test is made available for use. However, Charles Streckfus, a professor of diagnostic sciences and member of the research team, remarked that a cheap, easy to perform saliva test could prove invaluable in developing counties where mammography is too expensive.
