Saliva test can detect cancer

Scientists say saliva tests can detect dangerous diseases early, such as cancer or diabetes.

Saliva tests can help detect dangerous diseases such as cancer.

In the most comprehensive study ever conducted on the composition of human saliva, scientists at the University of California (USA) have discovered that saliva contains many disease-revealing molecules similar to those found in blood.

The new findings could soon enable dentists to take saliva samples from patients to test for the disease. Dr. David Wong, who led the research, said the research could also help develop self-diagnosis devices.

“If we can identify the target molecules in saliva, we can also know the molecules in saliva that indicate early diabetes or early stage nasopharyngeal and pancreatic cancer. We can apply this discovery to personalized medicine,” said Dr. David Wong.

“If you don’t analyze your saliva, you might miss important signs of disease. There seems to be a treasure trove in saliva, to the surprise of many people. Some components can tell you when you’re sick, even before symptoms appear,” said Wong.

Dr. Wong's lab also found that saliva contains some RNA (ribonucleic acid) similar to that found in human cells. RNA in saliva can also be used to diagnose disease. This is a surprising finding because enzymes in saliva can degrade RNA.

According to vietnamnet