Breast cancer may one day be detected by dentists testing patients’ saliva.

According to research published in the journal Cancer Investigation, a US team has found that women with breast cancer secrete particular proteins into the saliva that can be picked up by a test. If such a test were reliable, it could be used as an adjunct to mammography or even replace it.

Researchers in Houston, Texas, analysed samples from 30 patients and found 49 proteins that differentiated those who were healthy from those who had breast cancer tumours. The proteins could also distinguish between tumours that were benign and malignant.

Charles Streckfus, who led the research, said that he could see no reason why breast cancer should not be diagnosed during a trip to the dentist. “Most folks visit the dental office way more often than they ever see the physician,” he said.

Antonia Dean, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Breast Cancer Care, said: “This paper from the University of Texas is interesting but, as the researchers state, further evidence is clearly needed. Only ten study participants had breast cancer, so it is very difficult to draw any wider conclusions from the findings.”

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