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May 8, 2008 4:20 pm US/Eastern
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Researchers Develop 'Spit Test' For Breast Cancer
Researchers are working on a simple new test for breast cancer that could be done during a visit to your dentist.
Three years ago, Sherry Snook was facing breast cancer.
"I found a lump while I was taking a shower," she said.
What if Sherry had taken a simple test that would have spotted a problem long before the lump ever formed?
"Maybe I wouldn't have had to go through as much treatment or there wouldn't have been as large of a lumpectomy," she said.
That is the hope behind research at the University of Texas. A quick non-invasive "spit test" given by a dentist that can detect cancer in minutes.
"What we wanted was something that was safe, easy to collect, and could give you real time results," Dr. Charles Streckfus, D.D.S., the lead researcher, said.
The potential test created with "lab on a chip" technology checks for proteins in saliva.
"These proteins are in saliva, in every day existence. However, when in the presence of cancer, these proteins, their profile becomes altered," Streckfus said.
It's the levels of the proteins that tell the tale.
"And so if we can find one or more proteins that we can tell is markedly elevated or markedly depressed by the cancer, then that becomes a potential biomarker for the disease," Dr. William Dubinsky, a biochemist, said.
If you already have cancer, the proteins may tell if your treatment is working.
"If it's not working, then you can change the regiment of treatment to something else."
Researchers are at the point where they're checking the test's accuracy.
"In other words, determine the number of false positives and false negatives and see if it is good as or better than mammography."
The test still has to receive approval from the FDA. If it proves successful, the technology may also be used to detect other cancers and infectious diseases like tuberculosis. Researchers say the test could be ready in about five years.