Dentists could help reduce breast cancer

Published on Thursday 10 January 2008 20:48

CHECKS for breast cancer could soon be carried out by dentists after scientists yesterday revealed they were developing tests using saliva.

Researchers in the United States have found proteins in human saliva could act as biological markers, signalling the presence of the disease.

They are now developing a simple testing device designed for dentists.

Dental practitioners already check patients for early warning signs of mouth cancer, but a new test for breast cancer would mean even greater responsibility in diagnosing disease.

Catherine Flaitz, from the University of Texas which made the discovery, said: "Dentistry has entered an exciting era."

Researchers in Houston analysed saliva samples from 30 patients and found 49 proteins that differentiated those who were healthy and who had breast cancer tumours.

Importantly, the proteins could also distinguish between tumours that were benign or malignant.

Professor Charles Streckfus, who led the research, said he could see no reason why breast cancer should not be diagnosed during a trip to the dentist.

"Why not the dentist?" he said. "Most folks, especially women and children, visit the dental office way more often than they ever see the physician.

"Saliva is a non-invasive, quicker way for detection."

Prof Streckfus and a team of biochemists at the university are now developing a portable device for conducting breast cancer saliva tests.

The scientists are also investigating the use of saliva to diagnose ovarian, womb, cervical and head and neck cancers.

More than 44,000 women in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and there are over 12,000 deaths.

Professor Damien Walmsley, scientific adviser at the British Dental Association, said saliva was being used as a diagnostic tool for a whole range of diseases, including cancers

"In the case of breast cancer, saliva analysis has been used to monitor patient response to chemotherapy or surgical treatment of the disease," he said.

"The mouth itself is a good indicator of an individual's overall health, and dentists already play an important role in diagnosing and detecting oral cancers."

Henry Scowcroft, from Cancer Research UK, said: "Diagnosing cancer early saves lives. So researchers around the world are trying to find out if early signs of the disease can be found in bodily fluids like blood and saliva.

" But the research only looked at samples from a very small number of people. The technique might not prove reliable when more people are studied and there's no data on how effective it might be in practice."

Antonia Dean, of charity Breast Cancer Care, said:

"Women should be reassured that current diagnostic tests are extremely effective in detecting breast cancers."

CROSS-BORDER COLLABORATION

SCOTLAND'S medicine watchdog said yesterday it was willing to work more closely with its counterparts in England to speed up patient access to key drugs.

A report by the Commons health committee said the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) should introduce a faster, more streamlined system for assessing treatments, in line with the Scottish system.

Professor David Webb, chairman of the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC), said the body would like to work more closely with the Nice in evaluating new drugs.

The SMC issues guidance on new treatments within a few months, meaning Scottish patients have quick access to medicines. The Nice procedures can take nine months to a year, meaning patients in England and Wales must wait longer.

The committee of MPs questioned the methods used by the Nice to decide what drugs were cost-effective and their choice of medicines to evaluate.