10-minute saliva test to detect cancer

A 10-minute saliva test to detect cancer that scientists claim could revolutionise diagnosis has been unveiled.

The ‘liquid biopsy’ test looks for fragments of genetic material in a tiny drop of saliva.

Early results from lung cancer patients suggest “near-perfect” accuracy, according to the scientist whose team developed the system. David Wong of the University of California at Los Angeles said: “We need less than one drop of saliva and we can turn the test around in 10 minutes. It can be done in a doctor’s office while you wait.

“Early detection is crucial. Any time you gain in finding out that someone has a life-threatening cancer, the sooner the better. With this capability, it can be implemented by the patient themselves in a home check, or dentist or pharmacy.”

Prof Wong hoped the test, due to be trialled with lung cancer patients in China this year, could be available in Europe by 2020.

It could eventually be used to diagnose a range of different cancers, said Prof Wong.

The team came up with the test after discovering that saliva contained fragments of the genetic messenger molecule RNA.