Saliva Test Outperforms PSA in Cancer Detection

A new at-home saliva test for prostate cancer has been found to outperform the current prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test in detecting aggressive cancer forms. Developed by the Institute of Cancer Research and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, this test analyzes 130 genetic variants to calculate a polygenic risk score (PRS), identifying men at higher risk. In trials involving over 6,000 men aged 55 to 69, the saliva test detected aggressive cancers in 55.1% of cases, compared to 35.5% with the PSA test. While experts acknowledge the test’s potential, they caution that more research is needed before it becomes a standard screening tool. The test could significantly reduce unnecessary treatments by more accurately identifying at-risk individuals. With prostate cancer cases expected to double by 2040, this new method could play a crucial role in early detection and treatment.